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SB 50

AN ACT FOR THE ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY - NEWPORT APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

ASU-Nort receives a comprehensive 2026-2027 funding package establishing staffing levels, salaries, operating needs, and major capital investments, effective July 1, 2026.

Notification that SB50 is now Act 24
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Bill Summary · SB 50

Summary: SB 50 (2026 Session) — Arkansas State University–Newport Appropriation for 2026-2027

Voluntary context: This bill appropriates funds for the Arkansas State University–Newport (ASU-Nort) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027. It authorizes staffing levels, operating expenses, and capital-related expenditures, including an emergency clause to ensure immediate effectiveness on July 1, 2026.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Provide a state funding package to support ASU-Nort for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Establish authorized staffing levels and compensation, along with operating and capital-related expenditures.
  • Ensure the university can operate without interruption starting July 1, 2026, via an emergency clause.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Regular Salaries and Staffing

  • Sets maximum numbers of regular 12-month employees and provides the salary schedule by title.
  • Notable items:
    • Chancellor (ASUN): 1 position – $214,799.
    • IT Pool: 6 positions with specified salary caps for roles including Network Engineer, Information Systems Manager, Database Administrator, Systems Administrator, Security Analyst, Web/Programmer roles, and many other IT-related classifications with explicit annual salary caps (ranging from about $52,766 to $207,404 for top IT roles).
    • Several high-importance administrator roles (e.g., Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs, Fiscal Affairs, Student Affairs): salaries ranging from approximately $161,671 to $172,403.
    • Directors, Deans, and other administrative leadership positions with specified salaries (e.g., Director of Institutional Research: $136,981; Dean: $136,980; Director of Admissions/Registrar: $126,161; Controller: $120,931; Director of Public Information: $104,497).
    • Project/Program administration group with a separate structure (Director/Manager/Specialist) and a 14-person pool of Project/Program staff at various salary levels.
    • Academic positions include Division Chairs and Librarian at 12-month levels (Division Chair: $150,880; Librarian: $136,981).
    • NINE-MONTH academic positions for faculty (TWELVE MONTH ACADEMIC and NINE MONTH ACADEMIC POSITIONS listed under items 41–46, with faculty pay scales including Professor/Master Instructor at $123,315 and various rank-and-time configurations; Part-Time Faculty 6: $70,821).

B. Extra Help (Part-Time/Temporary)

  • Authorizes up to 60 extra help employees (temporary or part-time) for ASU-Nort, at a pay rate consistent with the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act or act governing pay.

C. State Operations Appropriation (Regular and Auxiliary)

  • Regular Salaries: $5,850,000
  • Extra Help: $125,000
  • Personal Services Matching: $1,200,000
  • Maintenance & General Operations (Operating Expenses, Travel, Fees, etc., where applicable):
    • Operating Expense: $1,547,029
    • Travel: $0
    • Professional Fees: $0
    • Capital Outlay: $0
    • Data Processing: $0
  • Funded Depreciation: $100,000
  • Total Regular State Operations Appropriation: $8,822,029

D. Cash Funds Appropriation

  • Regular Salaries: $5,700,000
  • Extra Help: $400,000
  • Personal Services Matching: $3,500,000
  • Maintenance & General Operation (detailed):
    • Operating Expense: $5,000,000
    • Travel: $300,000
    • Professional Fees: $600,000
    • Capital Outlay: $15,000,000
    • Data Processing: $0
  • Capital Improvements: $20,000,000
  • Debt Service: $1,000,000
  • Transfers, Refunds, and Investments: $40,000
  • Promotional Items: $95,000
  • Total Cash Funds Appropriation: $51,635,000

Combined total (State Operations + Cash Funds) for ASU-Nort: $60,457,029 (though the bill lists separate totals; the explicit line-item totals provided are $8,822,029 (State Ops) + $51,635,000 (Cash Funds) = $60,457,029).

3) Who Is Affected

  • Arkansas State University–Newport (ASU-Nort) receives explicit authorization for:
    • Staffing levels across administrative, IT, academic, and auxiliary enterprises.
    • Salary schedules for numerous positions (see itemized list).
    • Operating and capital budgets including substantial capital outlay and capital improvements.
  • Employees and prospective hires at ASU-Nort are affected by authorized max employment counts and the associated salary caps.
  • The university’s budgeting and procurement practices must align with:
    • State Procurement Law
    • General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law
    • Revenue Stabilization Law
    • Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act
    • Higher Education Expenditure Restriction Act

4) Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause, making the act effective on July 1, 2026.
  • Term: FY 2026-2027 (ending June 30, 2027) for all appropriations.
  • Compliance and Oversight: Disbursement must follow applicable state fiscal laws and regulations; the act references standard budget manuals and oversight frameworks (DF&A guidance, Legislative excerpts, and procurement controls).
  • Action History: Passed by both chambers in April 2026 with an emergency clause; enrolled and transmitted to the Governor for final action.

5) Notable Financial Scope

  • Cash funds total is substantial, with a strong emphasis on:
    • Capital investments: Capital Outlay: $15,000,000; Capital Improvements: $20,000,000.
    • Debt service: $1,000,000.
    • Operating expenses and professional services funded from cash funds totaling several million dollars.
  • The mix indicates a significant capital development tilt, alongside ongoing operations and personnel costs.

Overall, SB 50 provides ASU-Nort with a comprehensive funding package for 2026-2027, detailing staffing ceilings, compensation, operating needs, and major capital commitments, with an emergency clause to ensure timely effectiveness.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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