SB44

Senate Bill 44 is an appropriation act for the Arkansas Department of Health, specifically covering the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill allocates funds for personal services and operating expenses for several professional licensing and regulation boards within the Department of Health. The boards covered include the State Board of Acupuncture and Related Techniques, the State Board of Examiners of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, the Arkansas State Board of Athletic Training, the Arkansas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, the Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, the Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners, the Arkansas Dietetics Licensing Board, and the Arkansas Board of Dispensing Opticians. For each entity, the bill specifies the maximum number of regular and temporary employees allowed, as well as the dollar amounts authorized for various categories such as regular salaries, personal services matching, maintenance and general operations, and professional fees. The total funding is to be drawn from cash funds deposited in the State Treasury. This is a routine budgetary measure intended to ensure these regulatory bodies have the necessary resources to continue their operations.