WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1045

AN ACT FOR THE COMMISSIONER OF STATE LANDS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Funds for the Commissioner of State Lands FY 2026-27 cover salaries, operations, delinquent tax proceeds distributions, and submerged lands projects totaling about 37.2 million.

Notification that HB1045 is now Act 46
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1045

Summary of HB 1045 (Session 2026F) — Arkansas

An Act to make an appropriation for the Commissioner of State Lands for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, covering personal services, operating expenses, and other related activities, including the distribution of proceeds from sale or redemption of tax-delinquent land.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • Purpose: To authorize and detail appropriations for the Office of the Commissioner of State Lands (Arkansas) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Scope: Funding for regular salaries, operating expenses, extra help, capital outlay, submerged lands projects, and specific activities related to tax-delinquent land, including sale proceeds and refunds.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

A. Regular Salaries and Operations (Section 1)

  • Establishes the maximum number of regular state employees for the Commissioner of State Lands for FY 2026-2027: 42 positions.
  • Lists specific job titles and maximum annual salary rates for each role, including:
    • Chief Deputy: $142,769
    • General Counsel: $127,941
    • IT Administrator: $125,859
    • Real Estate Administrator: $125,859
    • Special Projects Coordinator: $94,901
    • Network Administrator: $94,901
    • Director of Government Affairs: $92,081
    • Real Estate Director: $92,081
    • Public Relations Director: $92,081
    • Operations Director: $92,081
    • Fiscal Director: $92,081
    • Human Resources Supervisor: $82,523
    • Governmental Relations Liaison: $82,523
    • Fiscal Associate I/II, Paralegal, Records Specialist, Research staff, Administrative staff, and others with stated salaries
  • Maximum employees: 42

B. Extra Help (Section 2)

  • Authorizes up to 5 temporary/part-time employees (Extra Help) for FY 2026-2027.
  • Pay rates must not exceed the rates specified in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

C. Operations Appropriation (Section 3)

  • Regular Salaries: $3,249,660
  • Extra Help: $40,000
  • Personal Services Matching: $1,082,147
  • Maintenance & General Operation:
    • Operating Expense: $25,000
    • Other subcategories: Travel, Professional Fees, Capital Outlay, Data Processing: $0
  • Total Appropriation for Operations: $4,396,807

D. Delinquent Tax Proceeds and Related Operations (Section 4)

  • Operates from cash funds as defined in Ark. Code §19-4-801.
  • Purposes include operating expenses and distributing proceeds from sale or redemption of tax-delinquent land per Ark. Code Title 26, Chapter 37.
  • Items and amounts:
    • Maintenance & General Operation – Operating Expense: $1,500,000
    • Professional Fees: $2,000,000
    • Data Processing: $0
    • Refund/Recording Fee Reimbursements: $1,300,000
    • Delinquent Tax Remittal/Sale Refunds: $27,500,000
  • Total Appropriation for Delinquent Tax (Section 4): $32,300,000

E. Capital Outlay/Operating Expenses (Section 5)

  • Capital Outlay/Operating Expense: $267,800

F. Submerged Lands (Section 6)

  • Projects involving submerged lands: $250,000

G. Compliance and Legislative Intent (Sections 7–8)

  • Ensures funds are disbursed strictly in accordance with the appropriation and applicable laws.
  • States that disbursements comply with administrative budget laws and regulations.

H. Emergency Clause (Section 9)

  • Declares an emergency to ensure the act takes effect on July 1, 2026, to prevent disruption in operations.
  • Allows for immediate effectiveness despite potential session adjournments.

3) Who/What Is Affected

  • Primary: Arkansas Office of the Commissioner of State Lands and its operations.
  • Beneficiaries include agency staff (through salaries and personnel costs) and operations related to tax-delinquent land management, including:
    • Sale proceeds distributions
    • Refunds and reimbursements
    • Delinquent tax remittals
    • Related administrative and project activities (including submerged lands)

4) Procedural and Timeline Notes

  • Effective date requested: July 1, 2026 (subject to emergency clause).
  • Emergency clause adopted to ensure immediate availability of funds at the start of FY 2026-2027.
  • The bill shows a standard FY 2026-2027 appropriation cycle (ending June 30, 2027).
  • Action history indicates passage through joint budget committee and both chambers with emergency clause, then enrolled and transmitted.

5) Financial Totals at a Glance

  • Operations (Section 3): $4,396,807
  • Delinquent Tax Proceeds/Operations (Section 4): $32,300,000
  • Capital Outlay/Operating (Section 5): $267,800
  • Submerged Lands (Section 6): $250,000
  • Combined total (as appropriated within the act’s sections, excluding interfund mechanics): approximately $37,214,607 plus related cash fund appropriations and matching funds as specified.

Note: The bill authorizes multiple interrelated appropriations, including cash funds for delinquent tax processing and distributions, and regular state funds for personnel and operating costs.

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

Sign in to ask a question.