TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING STATE DISTRICT COURTS; TO ELIMINATE THE OBLIGATION OF CITIES AND COUNTIES TO PAY THE SALARIES OF STATE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES; AND TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING DISTRICT COURT CLERKS.

HB 1661 shifts the funding responsibility for state district court judges' salaries from cities and counties to the state, eliminating local governments' obligation to pay these salaries. It creates a "county administration of justice fund" that uses court filing fees and costs to maintain funding for county justice programs (like public defenders, prosecutors, and county jails) at levels based on 1994-1995 data, with limited annual adjustments tied to inflation. The bill directly affects all 70 state district courts (as of 2025) and county-level judicial services. It ensures county funding for these programs continues without local salary payments, aligning with Arkansas' transition to a unified state court system.