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ArkansasSB372026 Fiscal SessionSenate

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING - WORKERS' COMPENSATION COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Funding for Workers’ Injury Benefit Claims

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law funds existing workers’ compensation claims in Arkansas. The Death and Permanent Total Disability Trust Fund provides $21.55 million: $21 million for claims and $550,000 for refunds or reimbursements. A separate $500,000 from the Second Injury Trust Fund pays second injury claims. These funds support eligible claimants and, where applicable, their families. The law does not change claim eligibility or set individual payment amounts.

Workers’ Compensation Scholarships and Education Funding

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Commission receives $140,000 from its state treasury cash fund. This supports scholarships, educational conferences, and related expenses. The total includes $40,000 for scholarships, $85,000 for operating costs, and $15,000 for professional fees. The law does not state who qualifies for scholarships or how much each recipient gets.

Funding for Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Operations

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides about $11.91 million for Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission operations. Another $150,000 from the Workers’ Compensation Fund pays for building repairs, equipment, construction, and upgrades. The Commission can have up to 105 regular employees and two temporary or part-time workers. The law sets salary limits; temporary workers’ pay cannot exceed the allowed rate for their jobs. Travel reimbursements must return to the fund that paid the original expense, as refunds of that spending. Spending must stay within approved amounts and funds and follow state financial controls and budget guidance. These funds support agency services without changing household benefit eligibility.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 114 • No: 11

House vote • 4/16/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 16, 2026 11:38:55 AM

Yes: 80 • No: 11 • Other: 1

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

Senate Vote - Wednesday, April 15, 2026 2:01:17 PM

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Notification that SB37 is now Act 15

    4/23/2026Senate

  2. DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.

    4/16/2026Senate

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

    4/16/2026Senate

  4. ORDERED ENROLLED

    4/16/2026Senate

  5. Returned from the House as passed.

    4/16/2026Senate

  6. Returned to the Senate as passed.

    4/16/2026House

  7. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/16/2026House

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

    4/16/2026House

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

    4/15/2026House

  10. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/15/2026House

  11. Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/15/2026Senate

  12. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/15/2026Senate

  13. Read the third time and passed.

    4/15/2026Senate

  14. Returned by the Committee, with the recommendation that it Do Pass

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/8/2026Senate

  16. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB37 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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