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Taxes & Budget

SB5

An Act For The Department Of Health - Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission Appropriation For The 2026-2027 Fiscal Year.

Engrossed

Last Action (April 15, 2026): Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the CALENDAR.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 5 is an appropriation bill for the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill provides funding for personal services, operating expenses, and the administrative oversight of programs funded by the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund. It authorizes the employment of one regular staff position. The total appropriation for the agency is set at $357,456. Additionally, the bill outlines specific procedural guidelines for budget transfers, the use of Tobacco Settlement funds, and legislative oversight requirements. It includes an emergency clause to ensure the act takes effect by July 1, 2026, to prevent disruption in agency operations.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiary is the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, which receives the necessary funding and administrative authorization to continue its operations and monitoring duties. State employees or contractors associated with the commission also benefit from the continued funding of professional services and staff positions.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no specific groups or entities negatively impacted by this legislation, as it is a routine budgetary appropriation intended to maintain existing governmental functions. However, the bill explicitly states that positions funded through Tobacco Settlement proceeds are not guaranteed if settlement funds become insufficient, meaning employees in these roles face a higher degree of fiscal uncertainty compared to state-funded positions supported by general revenue.

Vote Records

Third Reading

April 15, 2026
Yea: 34 Nay: 0 NV: 0 Absent: 1 Passed
View individual votes (35)
Legislator Party Chamber Vote
Jane English Republican Senate Yea
Jonathan Dismang Republican Senate Yea
Greg Leding Democrat Senate Yea
Missy Irvin Republican Senate Yea
Bryan King Republican Senate Yea
Kim Hammer Republican Senate Yea
Stephanie Flowers Democrat Senate Yea
Frederick Love Democrat Senate Yea
Terry Rice Republican Senate Yea
Reginald Murdock Democrat Senate Yea
Jim Dotson Republican Senate Yea
John Payton Republican Senate Absent
Alan Clark Republican Senate Yea
Ronald Caldwell Republican Senate Yea
Bart Hester Republican Senate Yea
Jimmy Hickey Republican Senate Yea
Dan Sullivan Republican Senate Yea
David Wallace Republican Senate Yea
Blake Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Justin Boyd Republican Senate Yea
Clarke Tucker Democrat Senate Yea
Scott Flippo Republican Senate Yea
Clint Penzo Republican Senate Yea
Mark Johnson Republican Senate Yea
Ricky Hill Republican Senate Yea
Jamie Scott Democrat Senate Yea
Breanne Davis Republican Senate Yea
Ben Gilmore Republican Senate Yea
Joshua Bryant Republican Senate Yea
Matt McKee Republican Senate Yea
Jim Petty Republican Senate Yea
Steve Crowell Republican Senate Yea
Tyler Dees Republican Senate Yea
Matt Stone Republican Senate Yea
Brad Simon Republican Senate Yea
Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us