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ArkansasSB402026 Fiscal SessionSenate

AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS - SYSTEM AND VARIOUS DIVISIONS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Criminal justice workers get training funds

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $150,000 for the Criminal Justice Institute's illicit-drug education and training. A one-time transfer moves this money from the Special State Assets Forfeiture Fund to the University of Arkansas Fund. The money must help the criminal justice community address illicit drug activity in Arkansas. This funding covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Grantham gets staff and operating funds

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law provides $31.5 million from cash funds for University of Arkansas Grantham. The money covers staff and operating costs through June 30, 2027. It supports university operations rather than creating a direct household payment or changing tuition.

Math and science school gets funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts receives two operating appropriations. The law provides $19.51471 million from the School for Math, Sciences, and Arts Fund, including $150,000 for loans or reimbursement. It also provides $22.215 million from cash funds for staff and operating costs. Both appropriations cover the year ending June 30, 2027, and do not create a general household benefit.

Research and education network gets funding

Beginning July 1, 2026, the law funds the Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network through June 30, 2027. It provides $2.1 million from the University of Arkansas Fund for network operations. It also provides $32 million from cash funds for staff and operating costs. These appropriations do not establish a direct household payment or promise a household service.

University system gets yearly operating funds

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $16.690965 million from the University of Arkansas Fund. Allocations are $5.54159 million for System Administration, $5.221618 million for the Archaeological Survey, $2.41635 million for the Clinton School, and $3.511407 million for the Criminal Justice Institute. It also authorizes up to $75.78752 million from cash funds for system and division expenses. That includes $17 million for salaries, $1.25 million for temporary help, $25,000 for overtime, and $4.5 million for matching. Remaining amounts are $45.88752 million for maintenance and operations, $2.5 million for capital improvements, $4.6 million for debt payments, and $25,000 for transfers, refunds, and investments.

University workers get yearly staffing authority

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law authorizes up to 598 regular employees across covered university units. The approved schedule sets position counts and maximum salaries, including $580,732 for the system president. Separate temporary or part-time limits are 50 for the system and divisions, 10 for the math and science school, and 250 for Grantham. These workers can be hired when needed, using extra-help funds at rates allowed by state compensation law or this act. The law does not guarantee jobs or pay at the maximum salary.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Joint Budget Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 126 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2026

House Vote - Thursday, April 16, 2026 11:43:22 AM

Yes: 92 • No: 0 • 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 SB40 is now Act 17

    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 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. Considered in the Committee of the Whole, and recommended do pass.

    4/16/2026House

  10. RULES SUSPENDED

    4/16/2026House

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

    4/15/2026House

  12. RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE

    4/15/2026House

  13. Ordered Immediately transmitted to the House.

    4/15/2026Senate

  14. EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED

    4/15/2026Senate

  15. Read the third time and passed.

    4/15/2026Senate

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

    4/14/2026Senate

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

    4/8/2026Senate

  18. Filed

    4/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB40 - Introduced

    4/1/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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