HB1096
An Act For The Institutions Of Higher Education Reappropriation.
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 1096 is a legislative act designed to reappropriate unspent capital improvement funds previously allocated to various Arkansas institutions of higher education. The bill authorizes the carry-forward of existing budget balances from Act 298 of 2025, ensuring these funds remain available for their originally intended purposes starting July 1, 2026. The funds are designated for specific projects, including building renovations, deferred and critical maintenance, technology infrastructure upgrades, and the replacement of equipment or library holdings. The institutions impacted include Arkansas Northeastern College, various branches of Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, and Cossatot Community College. This measure does not authorize new taxes or spending but rather extends the legal authority for institutions to utilize previously approved appropriations. The bill ensures that ongoing infrastructure and educational support projects can continue without interruption due to the expiration of prior fiscal year appropriations.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are the designated public higher education institutions in Arkansas, including Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University (Beebe, Mid-South, Mountain Home, Newport, and Three Rivers), Black River Technical College, and the Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. Additionally, students, faculty, and staff at these institutions benefit from improved campus infrastructure, updated technology, enhanced security systems, and better-maintained facilities, all of which contribute to a more effective learning and working environment.
Who Might Suffer?
There are no groups directly and negatively impacted by this bill. Because the legislation is a reappropriation of previously authorized funds intended for capital improvements, it does not involve new tax burdens, spending cuts to other government sectors, or the redirection of funds away from other public programs. The bill simply preserves existing budgetary authority that would otherwise expire, maintaining the status quo of capital investment in higher education.
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