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

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Education

HB1085

An Act For The Department Of Education - Arkansas School For The Deaf And Blind Reappropriation.

Introduced

Last Action (April 14, 2026): Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1085 is a fiscal bill that authorizes the reappropriation of remaining capital improvement balances for the Arkansas Department of Education, specifically for the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The bill provides for the carryover of funds totaling approximately $56.8 million, drawn from the Development and Enhancement Fund and the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund. These funds are designated for ongoing projects including maintenance, renovations, construction, and the preservation of historic sites and structures on the school campus. The bill includes standard disbursement controls, requiring strict adherence to state fiscal laws and purchasing regulations. It further stipulates that these specific funds cannot be used for the general maintenance and operational costs of the agency. Finally, the bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective on July 1, 2026, to ensure continuous funding and avoid disruption to campus capital projects.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are the students, faculty, and staff of the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind, as the reappropriation ensures that ongoing capital improvements, facility renovations, and safety upgrades to the school campus can continue without interruption.

Who Might Suffer?

There is no group directly or significantly negatively impacted by this bill, as it serves to reallocate and authorize existing funding for previously approved capital improvement projects rather than levying new taxes or reducing existing programmatic services.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us