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

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Taxes & Budget

SB61

An Act For The Department Of Agriculture Reappropriation.

Introduced

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

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 61 is a fiscal measure that reappropriates remaining balances of capital improvement funds for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. Specifically, it allocates the unspent balances from Act 297 of 2025, totaling $1,365,889, for the acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects. The bill mandates strict adherence to existing state purchasing and fiscal control laws when disbursing these funds. It also stipulates that these funds cannot be diverted from the agency's existing maintenance and general operations budgets. Furthermore, the bill includes an emergency clause to ensure the appropriations remain available starting July 1, 2026, to prevent disruption of these programs.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiary is the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, specifically the Forestry division, which gains continued access to existing capital improvement funds. The public also benefits through the preservation and stewardship of state-owned lands, historic sites, and natural resources.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no clear groups or entities negatively impacted by this legislation, as it merely reappropriates previously authorized funds rather than creating new taxes or cutting services from other programs.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us