ArkansasSB262026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Central Arkansas University Gets Operating Funds

The law authorizes about $289.27 million for the University of Central Arkansas from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The state fund provides about $65.22 million: $60.35 million for regular salaries, about $2.04 million for temporary workers, $20,000 for operations, and about $2.81 million for contingency needs. University cash funds provide about $224.06 million. That includes $35.8 million for regular salaries, $4.15 million for temporary workers, $175,000 for overtime, and $32.985 million for benefits and employer payroll contributions. Cash funds also cover $51.56 million for operations, $1.73 million for conferences and travel, and $5.875 million for professional fees. They provide $2.06 million for equipment and other capital purchases, $68.6 million for campus improvements, $20.5 million for debt payments, and $620,000 for promotional items. Spending depends on available funds and must follow state purchasing, accounting, and budget rules. These amounts fund the university, not direct household payments.

Central Arkansas University Jobs Have Caps

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the university can fill up to 2,298 regular positions. The law sets job-by-job staffing limits and annual pay ceilings for administrators, faculty, athletics, and campus support workers. Examples include $365,882 for the president, $277,092 for the provost, and $270,671 for the head football coach. Professor ceilings are $204,213 for 12-month appointments and $200,682 for nine-month appointments. The schedule also allows 200 part-time faculty positions capped at $57,840 each and 270 graduate assistants capped at $36,272 each. Separately, the university can hire up to 1,600 temporary or part-time extra-help workers when needed. Their pay cannot exceed the applicable job rates under state compensation law or this act. These are limits, not promised jobs or pay; hiring and actual pay depend on available funding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Joint Budget Committee
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 7

House vote • 4/23/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 23, 2026 11:42:10 AM

Yes: 82 • No: 7 • Other: 5

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 22, 2026 1:40:10 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Notification that SB26 is now Act 78
4/27/2026Senate
DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
4/24/2026Senate
Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.
4/24/2026Senate
ORDERED ENROLLED
4/23/2026Senate
Returned from the House as passed.
4/23/2026Senate
Returned to the Senate as passed.
4/23/2026House
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
4/23/2026House
Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
4/23/2026House
Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.
4/22/2026House
RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
4/22/2026House
Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.
4/22/2026Senate
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
4/22/2026Senate
Read the third time and passed.
4/22/2026Senate
Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass
4/21/2026Senate
Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE
4/8/2026Senate
Filed
4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

SB26 - Introduced
4/1/2026
PDF
Act Version
PDF

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