AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM DIVISIONS REAPPROPRIATION.

HB 1098 allocates up to $20 million from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for the acquisition, management, and preservation of state lands, historic sites, and structures. The funds become available on July 1, 2026, and can be used to supplement existing state money for projects, though they cannot replace the agency's regular operating budget. The bill also mandates that all spending follows standard state purchasing and budget laws, while declaring an emergency to ensure the money is ready immediately upon the start of the fiscal year. This legislation is a routine budget measure that allows the department to continue its essential work without interruption.