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HB 1015

AN ACT FOR THE BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Provides $42.9M cash funds and $9.47M state funds to fund Black River Technical College operations, salaries, and $6.2M in capital upgrades plus a $4.6M Law Enforcement Academy Bar

Notification that HB1015 is now Act 29
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Bill Summary · HB 1015

Summary of HB 1015 (2026F) – Arkansas

Title: AN ACT FOR THE BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR

Jurisdiction: Arkansas

Purpose
- To make appropriations for personal services and operating expenses for Black River Technical College (BRTC) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
- Includes funding for regular salaries, operating costs, and specific capital improvements, with a separate cash funds appropriation for a Law Enforcement Training Academy Barracks project.

Key Provisions

1) Regular Salaries and Staffing Levels (Operations)
- Establishes the maximum number of regular full-time employees for 2026-2027 across multiple BRTC divisions and job families.
- Sets specific salary rates for numerous positions, including:
- President: $214,799
- IT/Information Technology positions (e.g., Network Engineer, Software/Systems roles, Security, Database Admin, etc.) with a range of salaries from roughly $60k to $208k (example: IT Pool roles with various titles and top rates around $207,404 for Network Engineer and $133,122 for Information Systems Manager).
- Senior administrative and academic leadership (e.g., Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Finance & Admin, Institutional Advancement) with salaries typically in the $116,000–$172,403 range.
- Academic/Student Support roles (Counselors, Academic Advisors, etc.).
- Project/Program administration, Directors (various functional areas), Deans, and a broad “Administrative Support” and “Auxiliary Enterprises” pool.
- Skilled trades, Public Safety, Law Enforcement training track staff, and multiple support roles (bookstore, library, payroll, purchasing, human resources, maintenance, food service, etc.).
- The document lists a detailed schedule of items (41–51) under “TWELVE MONTH EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL” and “AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES” with explicit counts and salary caps, culminating in a maximum total staffing framework that supports 222 employees across all categories.

2) Extra Help – Operations
- Authorizes up to 75 part-time or temporary employees (Extra Help) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, at pay rates consistent with the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act or the act’s rates.

3) State Operations Appropriation
- Regular Salaries: $6,386,000
- Personal Services Matching: $2,245,208
- Maintenance & General Operation: $385,909 (with subcategories listed as applicable: operating expense, conferences, travel, professional fees, etc., all shown as zeroed or not applicable except as noted)
- Contingency: $450,856
- Total State Operations appropriation: $9,467,973

4) Cash Funds – Personal Services and Operating Expenses
- Regular Salaries: $12,000,000
- Extra Help: $1,000,000
- Overtime: $10,000
- Personal Services Matching: $4,000,000
- Maintenance & General Operation:
- Operating Expense: $9,000,000
- Conference & Travel: $250,000
- Professional Fees: $3,000,000
- Capital Outlay: $6,500,000
- Data Processing: $0
- Capital Improvements: $6,200,000
- Debt Service: $705,000
- Fund Transfers, Refunds, Investments: $179,800
- Promotional Items: $80,000
- Total Cash Funds: $42,924,800

5) Cash Funds – Law Enforcement Training Academy Barracks
- Appropriates $4,600,000 for construction, construction fees, and equipping a Law Enforcement Training Academy Barracks.

6) Compliance and Governance
- Disbursement must comply with all applicable laws (procurement, budgeting, expenditure restrictions, etc.).
- Legislative intent: Funds must align with agency requests, executive recommendations, and legislative recommendations in budget materials.
- Emergency Clause: Act takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause to ensure immediate operation due to the potential harm of delay.

7) Effective Date and Emergency
- Effective date: July 1, 2026 (emergency clause adopted).
- The bill includes standard emergency language to ensure year-long viability of funding.

Impact and Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary Beneficiary: Black River Technical College (BRTC) and its students, faculty, and staff.
  • Financial Impact:
    • State operations funding: $9.47 million (from the state operations fund).
    • Cash funds: $42.92 million (from cash funds, including tuition, fees, or other internal cash funds per Arkansas law) for salaries, operations, and capital needs.
    • Substantial capital investment: $6.2 million in capital improvements and $4.6 million for the Law Enforcement Training Academy Barracks construction and equipment.
  • Human Resources: Establishes a comprehensive pay structure and staffing ceilings for a wide range of positions, indicating growth or reorganization of academic, administrative, IT, public safety, and auxiliary services.
  • Capital Projects: Notable investments in facilities (capital improvements and the law enforcement academy barracks), signaling facility expansion or modernization.

Timeline and Process

  • Fiscal Year Covered: 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).
  • Immediate effect upon enactment due to emergency clause (effective July 1, 2026).
  • The act is part of the budget process, aligned with agency requests and legislative recommendations.

Notes

  • The bill text is primarily a detailed appropriation bill, with explicit salary schedules and a large list of positions and corresponding maximum salaries.
  • It includes both state-appropriated funds and cash funds, with a significant capital budget component and a targeted construction project for a Law Enforcement Training Academy Barracks.

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

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