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Taxes & Budget

SB37

An Act For The Department Of Labor And Licensing - Workers' Compensation 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

This bill provides the fiscal year 2027 appropriations for the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing - Workers' Compensation Commission. It establishes the maximum number of regular employees at 105 and authorizes two extra help positions. The bill allocates funding for various administrative functions, including salaries, operating expenses, and data processing. It further appropriates funds for death and total disability claims, second injury claims, and educational scholarships. Additionally, the legislation provides funding for building maintenance and repairs for the Commission. It includes standard provisions for compliance with state procurement and accounting laws and declares an emergency to ensure the agency remains operational starting July 1, 2026.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are the state employees working within the Arkansas Workers' Compensation Commission, as this bill authorizes their salaries and positions. Additionally, injured workers and their families benefit from the guaranteed funding for death, permanent total disability, and second injury claims processed through the commission's trust funds. The public also benefits from the continued administrative operation of the commission, which ensures the orderly processing of workers' compensation claims.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no specific groups negatively impacted by this bill, as it is a routine appropriations measure necessary for the ongoing operation of a state agency. While the appropriation represents a cost to the state budget and the respective trust funds, it is a standard legislative function to fund existing government operations, and the bill does not impose new taxes, fees, or restrictive regulations on any specific private sector group.

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