WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1061

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING - DIVISION OF LABOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Funds 2026-27 for DOL and Licensing Division of Labor to maintain staffing, operations, and regulatory programs across multiple funding sources, with emergency effectiveness.

Notification that HB1061 is now Act 54
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1061

Summary of HB 1061 (2026 Session, Arkansas)

Title

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND LICENSING - DIVISION OF LABOR APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Purpose: To make an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Department of Labor and Licensing (DOL) and its Division of Labor, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and for related purposes.

Main Purpose and Intent

  • Establish and authorize a comprehensive funding package for the Department of Labor and Licensing, specifically its Division of Labor, across multiple funding sources (Shared Services, State Operations, Boiler Inspection, Board of Electrical Examiners, Federal Programs, Wage and Hour cash, and Seminar/Conference cash).
  • Provide the authorized headcount and salary ranges for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Ensure emergency effectiveness to maintain agency operations starting July 1, 2026.

Key Provisions and Changes

Section 1 – Regular Salaries (Shared Services)

  • Establishes the maximum number of regular employees (28) and lists specific positions with corresponding salary grade codes and titles. Examples include:
    • Secretary of Labor & Licensing (1, Executive level)
    • Chief of Staff (1)
    • Chief Legal Counsel (1)
    • Chief Fiscal Officer (1)
    • Attorney III (1)
    • HR Administrator (1)
    • Division Director (3)
    • Executive Assistant (2)
    • Budget Analyst (1)
    • Fiscal Support Supervisor/Expert (1)
    • Legal Support Specialist (1)
    • Administrative Analyst (1)
    • Media Specialist (1)
    • Fiscal Support Specialist (3)
    • HR Specialist (1)
    • Inspector I (1)
    • Chief Information Officer (1)
    • User Support Analyst (5)
    • Attorney I (1)
  • Total maximum regular employees: 28.

Section 2 – Extra Help (Shared Services)

  • Allows up to four part-time or temporary employees for Shared Services, as needed, paid at rates consistent with the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act (or its successor).

Section 3 – Shared Services Paying Account Appropriation

  • Provides funding for Shared Services for FY2026-2027:
    • Regular Salaries: $1,973,981
    • Extra Help: $77,000
    • Personal Services Matching: $656,467
    • Operating expenses: $1,130,704
    • Travel: $15,000
    • Total: $3,853,152

Section 4 – Regular Salaries (Division of Labor)

  • Establishes the maximum number of regular employees (68) for the Division of Labor, with many positions across supervisory, inspector, analyst, and support roles. Notable categories:
    • Industrial Safety Supervisors
    • Training Supervisors/Experts
    • Data/Research Analysts
    • Inspector Supervisors/Experts and Inspectors (IIN/IIS/IIV series)
    • Grants Analysts, Administrative Analysts/Coordinators
    • Administrative Specialist, User Support Analyst
    • Inspector Manager, Investigator II
    • Total “Maximum No. of Employees” listed: 68

Section 5 – Appropriation (State Operations)

  • Allocates funds for State Operations of the Division of Labor:
    • Regular Salaries: $1,653,928
    • Personal Services Matching: $637,104
    • Operating expenses: $397,? (Note: The section lists detailed line items; total FY2027 appropriation: $2,691,381)
    • Extra Help: $0

Section 6 – Boiler Inspection (Special Fund)

  • Appropriations for Boiler Inspection within the Division of Labor:
    • Regular Salaries: $462,290
    • Personal Services Matching: $185,388
    • Operating expenses: $201,804
    • Travel: $14,044
    • Total: $863,526

Section 7 – Board of Electrical Examiners (Special Fund)

  • Appropriations for Board of Electrical Examiners:
    • Regular Salaries: $414,911
    • Personal Services Matching: $164,532
    • Operating expenses: $111,738
    • Travel: $6,430
    • Total: $697,611

Section 8 – Federal Programs

  • Federal funding for the Division of Labor (Federal Programs):
    • Regular Salaries: $923,235
    • Personal Services Matching: $385,345
    • Operating expenses: $246,963
    • Travel: $43,950
    • Total: $1,599,493

Section 9 – Wage and Hour – Cash

  • Appropriation for Wage and Hour program cash funds:
    • Wages Due: $200,000

Section 10 – Seminar and Conference Expenses – Cash

  • Seminar/Conference expenses funded from cash fund:
    • Operating expenses: $2,000
    • Travel: $46,000
    • Total: $48,000

Section 11 – Special Language – Shared Services

  • Administrative mechanics for creating and managing a Shared Services Paying Account, including transfer authority and scope limitations (within agency appropriation acts). Effective through June 30, 2026/2027 (policy text shows both dates; final date in act text is 2026-2027).

Section 12 – Compliance with Other Laws

  • Standard language ensuring funds are disbursed in compliance with procurement, accounting, and budget laws and regulations.

Section 13 – Legislative Intent

  • States that funds must align with budget manuals and documented legislative and executive reasoning.

Section 14 – Emergency Clause

  • Declares the act an emergency measure, making it effective on July 1, 2026, to prevent harm to agency operations if the legislative session is extended.

Affected Entities

  • Department of Labor and Licensing (DOL) as a whole
  • Division of Labor (various subdivisions: State Operations, Boiler Inspection, Board of Electrical Examiners, Federal Programs, Wage and Hour)
  • Shared Services unit within DOL and Licensing
  • Potentially impacted employees (through new/adjusted staffing levels and funding for salaries, benefits, travel, and operating costs)

Timeline and Procedural Notes

  • Emergency clause: Effective July 1, 2026
  • Fiscal year covered: FY ending June 30, 2027
  • The act outlines annual appropriations and authorizations for the 2026-2027 fiscal year
  • The Shared Services Paying Account is created with transfer authority among state fiscal offices to support cross-department operations

Overall Impact

  • Provides a multi-fund, multi-section appropriation package to support salaries, operating costs, equipment, and other expenses for the Division of Labor within the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing.
  • Establishes staffing ceilings across Shared Services and the Division of Labor, with explicit position titles and salary grades.
  • Allocates funding for specialized programs (Boiler Inspection, Board of Electrical Examiners) and federal programs, ensuring continued regulatory and enforcement capabilities.
  • Includes cash fund allocations for Wage and Hour operations and for seminars/conferences, facilitating enforcement and outreach activities.
  • Creates a shared services framework to optimize administrative functions across the department.

If you need a section-by-section breakdown or a comparative analysis with prior years, I can provide that as well.

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

Sign in to ask a question.