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ArkansasSB312026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Accommodations help jurors with disabilities

The law provides $10,000 for reasonable accommodations for prospective jurors and jurors with hearing or visual impairments. Funding runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. It supports access to jury service but sets no payment amount for individual jurors.

District court defendants avoid installment fees

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law bars the $17.50 installment fee for defendants in a district court department. Covered defendants save $17.50 for each barred fee assessment. Fine assessment and collection must minimize financial hardship for people allowed to pay in installments. The Administrative Office of the Courts can issue guidance.

Counties get juror cost funding flexibility

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $850,000 to reimburse counties for juror costs. The court office director can also transfer authorized State Central Services Fund budget amounts to the County Juror Reimbursement Fund. Each transfer must include an equal amount of State Central Services funding. Prior approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is required when either is meeting in legislative session. This transfer rule sets no payment amount per juror.

Funding for court services and training

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides about $7.22 million for Arkansas court office operations. This includes $614,100 for court interpreters and $400,000 for judicial education. Separate funding provides $80,000 for district judge training from the State Central Services Fund. Another $120,000 comes from the District Court Judge and District Court Clerk Education Fund for training judges and clerks. These funds support court services and staff, not direct household payments.

Funding keeps court technology running

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, court automation gets about $8.28 million from the Judicial Fine Collection Enhancement Fund. A separate $150,000 cash appropriation supports system operations and related costs. The money pays for staff, operations, and other court technology costs. The court office can move authorized amounts among automation budget items without adding funding. Each transfer needs approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer and either the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.

Funding supports families in child welfare

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides about $8.67 million for representation in child abuse and neglect cases. This includes $1.75 million for local Court Appointed Special Advocates programs and $396,750 for court-appointed attorney fees and reimbursements. Representation funding moves from the State Administration of Justice Fund to the State Central Services Fund. Another $765,917 in designated federal funds supports court improvements, including $140,000 for dependency-neglect grants. These funds support services and grants, not direct household payments.

Funding supports mediation and dispute resolution

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law funds dispute resolution and visitation mediation programs. The Dispute Resolution Commission gets $417,005 in state funding, including $25,000 for alternative dispute resolution grants. A separate $275,000 cash appropriation covers commission operating costs, fees, and services. The Access and Visitation Mediation program gets $158,082 in designated federal funds for staff and operations. The law does not guarantee household payments or set individual benefit amounts.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 0

House vote • 4/29/2026

House Vote - Wednesday, April 29, 2026 10:36:10 AM

Yes: 98 • No: 0 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/28/2026

Senate Vote - Tuesday, April 28, 2026 2:43:42 PM

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB31 is now Act 152

    5/1/2026Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.

    4/29/2026Senate

  3. Reported correctly enrolled and ordered delivered to the Governor.

    4/29/2026Senate

  4. ORDERED ENROLLED

    4/29/2026Senate

  5. Returned from the House as passed.

    4/29/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate as passed.

    4/29/2026House

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/29/2026House

  8. Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.

    4/29/2026House

  9. Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.

    4/28/2026House

  10. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/28/2026House

  11. Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/28/2026Senate

  12. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/28/2026Senate

  13. Read the third time and passed.

    4/28/2026Senate

  14. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    4/27/2026Senate

  15. Amendment # 2 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    4/27/2026Senate

  16. Placed on second reading for purpose of amendment.

    4/27/2026Senate

  17. Returned by the Committee with the recommendation that it Do Pass as amended, Amendment # 2

    4/23/2026Senate

  18. Re-referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/15/2026Senate

  19. REPORTED CORRECTLY ENGROSSED

    4/15/2026Senate

  20. Amendment # 1 read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and adopted, ordered engrossed.

    4/15/2026Senate

  21. Withdrawn from Committee and placed on 2nd reading for purpose of amendment # 1

    4/15/2026Senate

  22. Read first time, rules suspended, read second time, referred to JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

    4/8/2026Senate

  23. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB31 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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