Bill
HB 1024
The bill authorizes and details multi-source funding for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism to support heritage, preservation, museums, and related programs for FY2026-
HB1024 (2026F) – Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism
Division of Heritage Appropriation for FY 2026-2027
Purpose
- To authorize and detail the appropriation of funds for personal services, operating expenses, and related costs for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (DPHHT), specifically its Division of Heritage and related programs, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
- The bill consolidates and itemizes funding across multiple accounts (Shared Services, State Operations, Amendment 75 Conservation Tax Operations, cash-funded centers, federal programs, and endowments) to support heritage, historic preservation, museums, natural resources, and the Arkasas Arts ecosystem.
Key Provisions and Changes
1) Shared Services – Department-wide (Sections 1-3)
- Establishes a maximum number of regular employees under Shared Services for 2026-27 (104 total, with detailed classifications and salary grades listed).
- Authorizes up to 11 extra-help (temporary/part-time) employees.
- Provides a combined appropriation for Regular Salaries ($5,648,733), Extra Help ($90,136), Personal Services Matching ($2,093,557), and Maintenance & General Operations (Operating Expenses, Travel, Professional Fees, Capital Outlay) totaling $10,934,057 for Shared Services.
2) Division of Heritage – State Operations (Sections 4-6)
- Sets a maximum staffing level (133 positions) for the Division of Heritage for 2026-27 with numerous classifications (curators, archivists, historians, librarians, biologists, archaeologists, IT, accounting, HR, procurement, public information, security, maintenance, etc.).
- Includes a separate State Operations budget from the Division of Arkansas Heritage Fund for personal services and operating expenses, totaling $6,479,724 (Regular Salaries $3,765,475; Extra Help $63,924; Personal Services Matching $1,479,660; Operating Expenses $1,142,659; Travel/Fees/CapOutlay adjustments as specified).
3) Amendment 75 – Conservation Tax Operations (Section 7)
- Appropriates funds for Conservation Tax Operations, including:
- Regular Salaries ($1,090,886), Extra Help ($421,640), Personal Services Matching ($472,912)
- Operating and program costs (Operations, Travel, Professional Fees, Capital Outlay, Data Processing)
- Grants/Aid for Heritage Programs ($1,113,841), Museum/Facility Construction ($600,000), Special Maintenance ($688,471), Black History Commission ($13,930), Grants/Aid for Ouachita River Commission ($20,000)
- Total: $8,104,850
4) Special Fund and Cash Fund Allocations (Sections 8-22)
- Delta Cultural Center – Cash Fund Operations: $120,000 total (Operations $75,000; Resale COGS $45,000)
- Mosaic Templars Cultural Center – Cash Fund Operations: $45,000 total (Operations $25,000; Resale COGS $20,000)
- Old State House Commission – Cash Fund: $157,685 total (Extra Help, Personal Services Matching, Ops Expenses, Resale COGS)
- Historic Preservation – Real Estate Transfer Tax Operations: $0 (no appropriation under this section)
- Historic Preservation – Federal Program: $1,611,329 total (Regular Salaries $707,855; Personal Services Matching $273,474; Operating Expenses $352,000+; Grants for Historic Preservation $500,000)
- Historic Preservation – Main Street Arkansas – Cash Fund: $106,079 total (Salaries and Ops)
- Natural Heritage Commission – Cash Fund Operations: $256,076 total (Operating Expenses, Special Maintenance, Land Acquisition)
- Natural Heritage Commission – Natural Area Research – Cash Fund: $21,632
- Natural Heritage Commission – Gas Royalty Expenses: $440,000
- Historic Arkansas Museum Commission – Cash Fund Operations: $190,815
- Arkansas State Archives – Cash Fund Operations: $35,000
- National Digital Newspaper Program – Federal: $307,581
- Arkansas Arts Council – Federal Program: $896,341
- Arkansas Arts Council – Cash Fund Operations: $299,189
- Natural and Cultural Resources Council – Administration/Other Grants: $0 (no funding in this section)
- State Owned Lands/Historic Sites Grants: $48,000,000
- Main Street Grants/Aid under Natural and Cultural Resources Council: $6,000,000
- Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Program: $40,000,000
5) Special/Administrative Provisions (Sections 27-33)
- Promotional and educational merchandise: Authorized up to $40,000 per year (July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027) for public outreach, funded via Maintenance and General Operations.
- Shared Services disbursement mechanics: CFO may create paying accounts and transfer funds within the department’s appropriation; transfers allowed within the department or to other authorized appropriation acts; effective date through June 30, 2027.
- Ouachita River Commission grant: $20,000 to be granted from Amendment 75 – Conservation Tax Operations for exclusive use by the Commission.
- Compliance, legislative intent, and emergency clause: Ensures funds are used for stated purposes, aligns with budget manuals and legal requirements, and declares an emergency clause to make the act effective July 1, 2026.
Effective Date
- Emergency clause states the act takes effect on July 1, 2026, enabling year-long funding for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
Potential Impact
- Provides extensive funding to DP HHT divisions focused on heritage, historic preservation, museums, and cultural programs.
- Supports a broad portfolio of programs: state operations, federal grants, cash-funded centers (Delta Center, Mosaic Templars, Old State House), natural and cultural resources initiatives, and major preservation projects.
- Establishes staffing ceilings and budget lines across multiple funds, enabling planning for personnel, operations, grants, and capital needs.
- Enables targeted grants to external commissions (Ouachita River Commission, Main Street programs, state-owned lands/historic sites) and major preservation tax-funded activities.
Who/What is Affected
- Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (Division of Heritage and related programs)
- State agencies and partner organizations receiving grants (Historic Preservation programs, Main Street Arkansas, Ouachita River Commission, Ouachita partners, etc.)
- Cultural institutions and centers (Delta Cultural Center, Mosaic Templars Center, Old State House, Historic Arkansas Museum, Arkansas State Archives)
- Natural heritage initiatives, including land acquisition and conservation projects
- Tax-funded and federal program-based heritage initiatives
Procedural Notes
- Multiple fund sources and annual appropriations; some sections authorize transfers and shared services paying accounts.
- Several sections constitute “special language” provisions not codified in the Arkansas Code, governing administration and grant allocations.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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