everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Unknown Sponsorship
Taxes & Budget

SB17

An Act For The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System 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 17 provides the annual appropriation for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System (ATRS) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill establishes the maximum number of regular employees at 87 and authorizes up to 20 temporary or part-time staff positions. It allocates funding for operations, personal services, data processing, and investment consulting. Furthermore, the bill appropriates funds for retirement benefits and refunds to be paid out from the Teacher Retirement Fund and cash funds. The total appropriation from the Teacher Retirement Fund is $218,179,319, with an additional $1,706,000,000 appropriated for payments to beneficiaries. The act includes an emergency clause to ensure funding is available by the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2026.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are retired Arkansas educators and school employees who receive pension benefits, as well as the active school personnel who are members of the system. Additionally, the administrative staff and employees of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System benefit from the authorization of their positions, salaries, and operating budgets.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no specific groups or entities negatively impacted by this legislation, as it is a standard appropriations bill required to maintain the operations and benefit disbursements of an existing state retirement system. No programs are being cut or taxes increased; the bill serves to authorize the necessary funding to fulfill pre-existing financial obligations to retirees.

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