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SB 21

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Arkansas SB 21 authorizes 2026-2027 funding for DHS Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services, with amendments adding targeted line-item increases and higher total appropriation

DELIVERED TO GOVERNOR.
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Bill Summary · SB 21

Summary: Senate Bill 21 (SB 21) – 2026 Fiscal Session, Arkansas

What the bill is

  • Title: AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF AGING, ADULT, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.
  • Jurisdiction: Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, Fiscal Session (2026).
  • Purpose: To appropriate funds for the Department of Human Services (DHS), specifically its Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services, for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Amendment details (Amendment No. 1)

The Joint Budget Committee proposed adjustments to the original SB 21. Key changes include changes to specific line items and totals:

  • Page 1, line 35: Increase from 2 to 3.
  • Page 3, line 9: Increase from 7 to 8.
  • Page 4, line 21: Increase from 1,179 to 1,181.
  • Page 5, line 6: Increase from $58,500,595 to $58,680,049.
  • Page 5, line 8: Increase from $24,693,332 to $24,750,860.
  • Page 5, line 16: Increase from $148,545,191 to $148,782,173.

These amendments reflect modest increases to several appropriation line items, as proposed by the Joint Budget Committee (JBC).

Main purpose and intent

  • To provide funding authorization for the DHS Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • The amendment seeks to adjust the appropriation totals upward for specified categories, likely to align with updated cost projections, program needs, or negotiated budget targets.

Key provisions and changes

  • Funding allocations: The bill establishes annual appropriations for DHS programs under the Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services umbrella. The amendments modify specific line-item amounts to higher totals.
  • Adjusted line items (as per amendment):
    • Increase in a count/level (from 2 to 3; context unclear without full bill text but likely related to staffing, service units, or program components).
    • Increase from 7 to 8 (likely another staffing, service unit, or program measure).
    • Small increases in two numeric entries (1,179 to 1,181) suggesting counts, units, or authorization levels.
    • Increases in monetary appropriations for three line items:
    • $58,500,595 → $58,680,049
    • $24,693,332 → $24,750,860
    • $148,545,191 → $148,782,173
  • Overall effect: The amendment adds incremental funding and/or capacity across several components of the department’s aging, adult, and behavioral health services portfolio.

Who/what is affected

  • Department: Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS).
  • Division: Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services.
  • Beneficiaries: Arkansas residents served by aging services, adult services, and behavioral health programs administered or funded through DHS.
  • State budget process: The JBC’s amendment indicates collaborative adjustment during the budgeting cycle, affecting appropriation totals for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Original filing: SB 21 filed 2026-04-01.
  • Consideration path: Read first time; rules suspended; read second time; referred to the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) on 2026-04-08.
  • Amendment: Amendment No. 1 submitted by the JBC on 2026-04-16, with specific line-item changes.
  • Next steps: SB 21, as amended, would proceed through committee review, potential floor debate, and final passage, followed by any signature or veto processes per Arkansas law.

Notes

  • The summary focuses on the provided amendment text and the fiscal impact inferred from line-item adjustments. Full bill text would provide precise definitions for the affected line items and how the increases are allocated across programs (e.g., grants, services, personnel, infrastructure).

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

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