SB182

Senate Bill 182 mandates that if an Arkansas county or municipality fails to pass an annual appropriation ordinance by January 1, the government must continue to operate under the budget levels of the previous year. This allows for the continued payment of employee salaries and essential operational expenses until a new budget is formally adopted. The bill explicitly excludes new capital purchases from these continuing expenditures. Furthermore, the bill mandates that county judges and justices of the peace will not receive their salaries or per diem compensation, respectively, during any period when the previous year's budget is being utilized by default. This measure is intended to ensure the continuity of government services, public safety, and payroll for rank-and-file workers in the event of local legislative gridlock. The bill includes an emergency clause to make these provisions effective immediately upon enactment.