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SB 36

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Funds and organizes FY2026-27 federal, state, and cash dollars to Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division to support child nutrition programs, school meals

Notification that SB36 is now Act 135
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Bill Summary · SB 36

Summary of SB 36 (2026 Session) – Department of Agriculture Appropriation for FY 2026-2027 (Arkansas)

This document provides a clear, accessible overview of Senate Bill 36 as introduced and the Amendment No. 1 circulated by the Joint Budget Committee on April 16, 2026. The bill focuses on appropriations for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, including the Food and Nutrition Division’s Child Nutrition programs, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

1) Purpose and Intent

  • To authorize and detailState funding for the Department of Agriculture for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Specifically, to fund the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division, including federal, state, and cash-funded activities related to child nutrition programs, hunger relief, grants to local school districts, and related administrative functions.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

The Amendment adds and reorganizes several line items and programs, primarily under the Food and Nutrition Division (Child Nutrition). Notable elements include:

  • Overall staffing and program capacity updates:

    • Amendment adjusts several job-position entries and increases the maximum number of employees (MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES) to 182 from 181, affecting personnel budgeting.

  • Section 38 – Federal appropriation for Food and Nutrition – Child Nutrition Program:

    • Personal services and operating costs funded from federal sources.
    • Specific program line items:
    • Regular salaries: $2,470,239
    • Personal services matching: $963,383
    • Maintenance & general operation:
      • Operating expenses: $1,172,100
      • Conference & travel: $10,000
      • Professional fees: $100,000
      • Capital outlay: $50,000
      • Data processing: $0
    • School Food Service/Nutrition Education: $425,099,000
    • Refunds/Reimbursements: $450,000
    • Federal expenses for Food and Nutrition: $78,087,515
    • Total federal appropriation under this section: $508,402,237

  • Section 39 – State appropriation for Food and Nutrition – Child Nutrition Program – State:

    • Personal services and operating expenses funded from the Department of Agriculture Fund Account.
    • Items include:
    • Regular salaries: $833,116
    • Personal services matching: $331,339
    • Maintenance & general operation:
      • Operating expense: $20,000
      • Conference & travel: $3,500
      • Professional fees: $0
      • Capital outlay: $0
      • Data processing: $0
    • Total State appropriation: $1,187,955

  • Section 40 – Commodity distribution and salvage container (Cash):

    • Operating expenses funded from a cash fund deposited in the State Treasury.
    • Items include:
    • Operating expenses: $130,186
    • Conference & travel: $9,490
    • Professional fees: $0
    • Total: $139,676

  • Section 41 – Grants and aid to local school districts and special programs:

    • Appropriations for:
    • Free Breakfast Program: $14,700,000
    • School Food Services: $7,650,000
    • School Food Legislative Audit: $75,000
    • Surplus Commodities: $1,125,065
    • Total: $23,550,065

  • Section 42 – Conferences (Food and Nutrition – Child Nutrition Program – Conferences):

    • Personal services and operating expenses:
    • Food and Nutrition Conference and Expenses: $273,923

  • Section 43 – Hunger Coalition grants and aid:

    • Grants and aid for the Hunger Coalition: $995,113

  • Administrative housekeeping:

    • The amendment includes several technical adjustments to section numbering and formatting.
    • Inserts new subsections (Sections 38-43) related to specific appropriations and programs.

3) Who/What is Affected

  • Primary agency:
    • Arkansas Department of Agriculture, specifically the Food and Nutrition Division (Child Nutrition Program).
  • Beneficiaries and programs:
    • Federal and state funding recipients supporting child nutrition:
    • School-based meal programs (free breakfast, school meals)
    • School food services operations
    • Surplus commodity programs
    • Hunger Coalition grants
    • Conferences and professional development activities for the division
  • Local school districts:
    • Funding for grants and aid to districts under the child nutrition umbrella.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Legislative status:
    • Amendment No. 1 to SB 36 introduced by the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) on April 16, 2026.
    • Bill introduced (SB 36) and referred to JBC for amendment; amendment read and placed into effect via the normal amended bill process.
  • Fiscal year reference:
    • All appropriations pertain to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
  • Implementation:
    • The appropriation structure distinguishes federal funds, state funds, and cash funds, with separate line items for personnel, operating expenses, and program-specific activities.
    • The bill (with amendment) would become law upon enactment and would guide department budgeting for FY 2026-2027.

5) Summary Assessment

  • The bill, as amended, delineates a substantial funding package for the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Division, emphasizing:
    • Strengthening child nutrition programs, including significant funding for School Food Service/ Nutrition Education.
    • Supporting administrative and operational costs with both federal and state funds.
    • Providing grants to local school districts and hunger-related initiatives (Hunger Coalition).
    • Supporting professional development and conferences related to program administration.

If you’d like, I can extract a compact line-item budget table or compare this appropriation to prior years for context.

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

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