HB1098

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - State Parks And Tourism Divisions 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

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1098 is a reappropriation bill for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for the 2026 fiscal session. The bill authorizes the transfer of up to $20,000,000 from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund to the State Parks and Tourism Divisions. These funds are designated for the acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects. The legislation establishes strict disbursement controls, requiring compliance with existing state purchasing and fiscal laws. It prohibits the use of agency maintenance and general operation funds for these specific projects. Additionally, the bill includes an emergency clause, making it effective as of July 1, 2026.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, along with the state-managed parks and historic sites themselves. The public and visitors to Arkansas state parks and heritage sites benefit from the continued preservation, maintenance, and capital improvements made possible by these funds. Furthermore, contractors and service providers involved in capital improvement projects related to land management and historic preservation will also benefit from these expenditures.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no significant groups or entities directly and negatively impacted by this bill. As a reappropriation measure, it moves existing funds for previously authorized purposes rather than raising new taxes or reducing funding for other programs. However, because the bill explicitly prevents the use of maintenance and general operations funds for these projects, the agency's ability to reallocate its existing operational budget for these capital projects is restricted.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us