Arkansas Bills

HB 1002 is Arkansas' 2025-2026 state budget bill, allocating $830,000 for judicial branch expenses (including $80,000 for district judges' travel and $400,000 for trial judges) and $368,000 for House of Representatives member expense reimbursements, plus $200,000 for Senate member reimbursements. It funds operational costs like travel and interim expenses for judges, legislators, and the Auditor of State, with strict rules for reimbursement claims and disbursement. The bill does not create new policies but provides essential funding for government branch operations during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It was enacted as Act 1 on January 16, 2025.

SB 10 provides funding for the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to cover salaries and operating expenses for specific court staff. The bill allocates money to pay trial court administrators, official court reporters, juvenile probation and intake officers, and drug court juvenile probation and intake officers. It sets maximum employee counts for these positions and authorizes payments for regular salaries, matching funds, substitute coverage, and various operational costs like expense allowances and risk assessment screenings. Once signed into law as Act 159, these funds will be drawn from the State Central Services Fund to ensure the continued operation of these essential court personnel.

This bill appropriates state funds to support the operations of the Arkansas Auditor of State for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It authorizes the hiring of specific full-time and temporary staff members for both the general operations office and the unclaimed property program, setting maximum salary rates for each position. The legislation allocates money for salaries, office expenses, travel, and professional fees, while also providing a large sum specifically for paying out claims from unclaimed property and abandoned mineral proceeds. Ultimately, the act provides the necessary budget for the Auditor of State to manage these financial programs and distribute funds to eligible claimants.

This bill updates the pay structures for state employees in Arkansas by establishing new salary tables and allowing temporary market adjustments. It directly affects workers in general, information technology, medical, and senior executive roles by setting specific minimum and maximum pay levels for their job grades. The legislation also permits agencies to offer special pay rates up to 40% above the entry level for certain positions and authorizes a hazardous duty bonus for staff in maximum security facilities. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2024, with the market adjustment provision expiring on June 30, 2025.

This bill appropriates $9,742,045 for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture to cover salaries, operating expenses, and other costs for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. It authorizes the hiring of up to 63 regular full-time employees and three temporary or part-time staff members across various roles, including leadership, veterinary services, forestry, and administrative positions. The funding is allocated for regular salaries, extra help, personal services matching, uniform allowances, and general operations such as travel, professional fees, and capital outlays. Once enacted as Act 171, the legislation provides the necessary financial resources for the department to maintain its workforce and carry out its duties through June 30, 2025.