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SB 61

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE REAPPROPRIATION.

2026 Fiscal Session

Reallocates up to $1,365,889 from a prior grant fund to the Forestry division for acquiring, managing, or preserving state lands and historic assets, with strict fiscal controls.

Notification that SB61 is now Act 84
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Bill Summary · SB 61

Summary of SB 61 (2026) – Arkansas Department of Agriculture Reappropriation

Purpose

SB 61 proposes reappropriations of existing capital improvement funds for the Department of Agriculture (specifically, the Forestry division) by reallocating balances from prior capital appropriations to new uses related to the acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects. The act is framed as an emergency measure to take effect July 1, 2026.

Key Provisions

Section 1 – Reappropriation (NCRC Grant)

  • Authorizes the Department of Agriculture (Forestry) to receive reappropriations from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund.
  • Two specific reappropriations are provided, each effective July 1, 2026:
    • A) Up to $950,889 for the acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects.
    • B) Up to $415,000 for the same purposes (acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects).
  • These funds stem from the balance of a prior appropriation (Section 24 of Act 297 of 2025).

Section 2 – Disbursement Controls

  • Ensures that contracts/obligations do not exceed available funds from the State Treasury.
  • Allows the agency to accept and use grants and donations (including federal funds) and to use unobligated cash income or funds to supplement state funds for financing the projects.
  • Prohibits using the Maintenance and General Operations appropriations for the purposes described in this act.
  • Enforces compliance with:
    • State Purchasing Law
    • General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law
    • Revenue Stabilization Law
    • Other applicable fiscal control laws and regulations from the Department of Finance and Administration

Section 3 – Legislative Intent

  • Affirms that funds disbursed under the act must align with the budgetary justifications and recommendations (Agency Requests, Executive Recommendations, Legislative Recommendations) communicated during the budget process.

Section 4 – Emergency Clause

  • Declares an emergency to ensure the act takes effect on July 1, 2026.
  • States the necessity due to the potential irreparable harm from delays and the prohibition on funding beyond a one-year period under the Arkansas Constitution.

Who/What is Affected

  • Agency: Department of Agriculture – Forestry division.
  • Funds: Reallocation from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund (Section 24 of Act 297 of 2025) to two grant-funded appropriations totaling up to $1,365,889 (sum of $950,889 and $415,000).
  • Uses of Funds: Acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects.
  • Fiscal Controls: Adherence to state procurement and budgeting laws; potential use of grants/donations (including federal funds) to supplement state funds; prohibition on using Maintenance and General Operations funds for these purposes.

Effective Date and Timeline

  • Effective Date: July 1, 2026 (subject to emergency clause).
  • Summer 2026: Disbursement and project start aligned with the new appropriations, contingent on compliance with all statutory fiscal controls.

Potential Impact

  • Enables targeted use of previously approved capital funds to support conservation, historic preservation, and related stewardship activities within the Department of Agriculture.
  • Provides a clarified funding stream (and corresponding controls) for specific capital-impacted projects, with flexibility to accept external grants/donations to support full project costs.
  • Emphasizes compliance with fiscal laws and budgetary justifications, aiming to ensure funds are spent in line with legislative intent.

If you’d like, I can add a concise side-by-side comparison with prior Act 297 (2025) allocations or outline potential project examples that would fit these reappropriations.

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

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