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ArkansasSB572026 Fiscal SessionSenateWALLET

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - ARKANSAS SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Sponsored By: Joint Budget Committee

Enacted

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Summer pay options for school workers

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, qualifying exempt school employees can receive extra summer pay with superintendent approval. Their regular duties must require fewer than 2,080 hours; pay is capped at one-twelfth of annual salary per month or partial month worked. With the state's Chief Fiscal Officer's approval, the school can move summer-project and activity funds to salaries, temporary-worker pay, benefits, overtime, and operating costs. Both funding lines can cover annual shift differentials and assigned special duties; activity funds can also pay contracted interpreters. The specified extra payments do not count as exceeding authorized maximum salaries.

Textbooks and campus support for students

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law provides $223,024 for braille and large-print textbooks. The Department of Education uses school account funds to buy, copy, and ship books for blind and visually impaired students. These students must attend Arkansas public schools, not just the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. A separate $250,000 supports student needs and campus improvements at that school. The state's Chief Fiscal Officer selects the treasury cash fund for that money; neither appropriation sets a household payment.

Funding for deaf and blind education

For July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind gets operating funds. The law provides about $21.73 million in state funds, $2.32 million in designated federal funds, and $934,508 in cash funds. State funding includes about $11.04 million for salaries, $4.32 million for employee benefits, and $2.72 million for special maintenance. It also includes $120,000 for temporary workers, $35,000 for overtime, and $25,000 for summer projects. The money supports school services, supplies, professional services, equipment, and repairs—not direct household payments.

Staffing limits for specialized school workers

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind can employ 235 regular workers. The law sets job types and salary grades for teachers, counselors, interpreters, health staff, and support workers. The school can also use up to 72 temporary or part-time workers when needed. Their pay cannot exceed the applicable state classification limits or limits in this law. These are staffing ceilings; the school does not have to fill every job.

Unused school funds support campus repairs

The law directs the state's Chief Fiscal Officer to move the school's unused General Revenue balance from June 30, 2026. The money goes into a separate fund for special maintenance, renovations, or future construction. The Office of Budget must report carryforward amounts by the September Legislative Council meeting or the Joint Budget Committee meeting. The school must submit a written report at least 30 days before presenting its budget request. The Department of Finance and Administration must include the carried-forward amounts in budget manuals.

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 SB57 is now Act 26

    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

    4/6/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • SB57 - Introduced

    4/6/2026

    PDF

  • Act Version

    PDF

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