This House Resolution in Arkansas authorizes the introduction of a bill that would require digital asset mining businesses to pay fees to the state for using large amounts of electricity. The proposed law establishes a tiered fee structure where businesses pay between $25,000 and $100,000 annually based on how many megawatts of power they consume in a month. It also mandates that these companies submit energy usage estimates before starting operations and face penalties or criminal charges if they knowingly provide false information. Any money collected from these fees would be split among state agencies to fund oversight, monitoring, and operational expenses related to regulating the industry.
This bill provides funding for the Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It authorizes the hiring of specific staff positions, such as program administrators, quality assurance managers, and investigators, while adjusting the number of employees and their pay grades. The legislation also sets aside a total appropriation of $188,667,976, which is lower than the original amount proposed in the bill. Finally, the bill removes a section regarding the establishment of a new position and is now officially known as Act 126.
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.
This bill provides an additional $2 million in funding for the Arkansas Department of Human Services to support its aging and adult services programs. The money is specifically designated for senior citizen centers and will be used to cover operating expenses, grants, and other program costs beyond what was previously approved. The funds must be spent in strict accordance with state laws regarding procurement, budgeting, and financial reporting. By declaring an emergency, the legislation aims to ensure these essential services continue without interruption due to a lack of available money.
This bill is a procedural measure that authorizes a senator to introduce legislation amending Arkansas laws governing Industrial Development Authorities. The proposed changes would require board members to live within the municipality or county they represent and allow local governments to remove board members for good cause with a two-thirds vote. Additionally, the bill clarifies that these authorities must follow local zoning and planning rules and repeals their ability to use eminent domain for property acquisition. Because this specific text only grants permission to introduce further legislation rather than enacting policy itself, it does not directly alter the powers of industrial development authorities or affect the public.
This bill authorizes the introduction of legislation requiring digital asset miners and mining businesses in Arkansas to notify state and local officials before acquiring land or starting construction for mining facilities. The proposed law would mandate that these businesses file a written notice with the Arkansas Public Service Commission and the relevant local government at least six months prior to purchasing, leasing, or beginning work on a site. This notification requirement is designed to give authorities advance warning of potential new mining operations, though the bill itself is currently a procedural resolution that did not advance out of committee.
This bill appropriates $10.9 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund the Division of Heritage within Arkansas's Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism. The legislation authorizes the hiring of up to 104 regular employees and 11 temporary staff members to support operations such as museum coordination, biological research, and archaeological work. Funds are allocated for salaries, shared services, and general operating expenses including maintenance, travel, and professional fees. Once enacted as Act 124, the bill provides the necessary budget for these specific personnel and operational costs during the upcoming fiscal year.
This bill appropriates funding for the Division of Youth Services within the Arkansas Department of Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It directly affects the state agency responsible for youth services by authorizing a specific budget amount of $6,074,027 for that period. The legislation includes minor numerical adjustments to line items in the budget document to correct figures from a previous version. Once enacted as Act 133, these changes finalize the financial allocation for the agency's operations during the upcoming year.
HB 1041, now Act 125, establishes the staffing levels and salary rates for the Secretary of State's office for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This legislation directly affects the department by setting maximum employee counts and annual pay for 187 specific positions, ranging from senior leadership roles like the Chief Deputy at $160,067 to entry-level staff such as Mail Clerks at $45,000. Additionally, the bill authorizes a total appropriation of $25,699,646 for these regular salaries, an increase from the previous budgeted amount. The law provides the financial framework to fund the department's operations but does not alter the core functions or duties of the office.
This bill provides state funding for the Arkansas Department of Commerce's Division of Workforce Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allocates $10 million specifically for unemployment insurance modernization and an additional $2.5 million for adult education programs. The legislation also includes transitional authority to help the state plan and coordinate the consolidation of vocational rehabilitation services while ensuring federal compliance and uninterrupted service delivery.
This bill, now enacted as Act 134, authorizes funding for the Arkansas Office of the Governor for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It establishes the maximum number of regular and temporary employees allowed within the office and allocates approximately $6.5 million for their salaries and general operating expenses. Additionally, the legislation provides a separate $500,000 appropriation specifically for the Governor to issue emergency proclamations during public crises. The act also includes standard provisions allowing the transfer of funds between budget line items and requiring compliance with existing state financial laws.
This bill appropriates funds for the Arkansas Supreme Court for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It specifically adjusts the budget line item for the Supreme Court Police Chief by changing the grade classification from LES05 to a lower level and updating the associated budget code. The legislation also corrects a line number in the budget document from 51 to 52. Once signed into law, this act becomes Act 137 and provides the necessary financial resources to support the court's operations for the upcoming year.
