WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1097

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - DIVISION OF HERITAGE REAPPROPRIATION.

2026 Fiscal Session

Arkansas reappropriates up to $750,000 for special maintenance and up to $10,000,000 for land and historic preservation through DPHT Division of Heritage, starting July 1, 2026.

Notification that HB1097 is now Act 117
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1097

Summary of HB 1097 (Session 2026F) – Arkansas

Title

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - DIVISION OF HERITAGE REAPPROPRIATION

Purpose and intent

  • Reappropriates existing balances for specific capital improvement-related appropriations within the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (DPHT), Division of Heritage.
  • Ensures continued funding for selected heritage-related initiatives by reassigning/returning previously authorized funds to the Division of Heritage’s accounts effective July 1, 2026.
  • Provides emergency provision to ensure funding is available on time for ongoing agency operations.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 – Central Administration – Amendment 75 Conservation Tax

  • Reappropriates, effective July 1, 2026, the balance of special maintenance funding from Act 93 of 2025 (Item A, Section 1) to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism – Division of Heritage.
  • Amount not to exceed $750,000.
  • Source: Arkansas Division of Heritage Special Fund Account.

Section 2 – NCRC Grant

  • Reappropriates, effective July 1, 2026, the balance of funds provided in Section 24 of Act 297 of 2025 for the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund.
  • Purpose: acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects.
  • Amount not to exceed $10,000,000.
  • Source: Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund.

Section 3 – Disbursement Controls

  • Sets standard fiscal controls:
    • No contract/obligation may exceed funds actually available, though grants and donations (including Federal funds) may be accepted and used to supplement State Treasury funds.
    • General Maintenance and Operations appropriations for the receiving agencies shall not be used for the purposes funded in this act.
    • Compliance with State Purchasing Law, General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, Revenue Stabilization Law, and related regulations is required unless explicitly exempted by law.

Section 4 – Legislative Intent

  • Funds disbursed under these appropriations must align with the stated purposes reflected in the budget process materials (Agency Requests, Executive Recommendations, Legislative Recommendations) and related budget documentation.

Section 5 – Emergency Clause

  • Declares an emergency to ensure immediate effectiveness on July 1, 2026.
  • Rationale: Prohibits delay in appropriations beyond the start of the new fiscal year due to potential harm to essential government operations.
  • Effective upon publication, with emergency status to support uninterrupted agency operations.

Who is affected

  • State of Arkansas, Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism (Division of Heritage) will receive:
    • Up to $750,000 for special maintenance (from the Heritage Special Fund Account).
    • Up to $10,000,000 from the NCRC Grant and Trust Fund for land, historic-site, building, or object preservation and related activities.
  • Other affected entities include:
    • Agencies and institutions that may accept grants and donations to supplement state funds (as permitted by law).
    • Recipients of the DPHT Division of Heritage’s programs and projects related to heritage, culture, historic preservation, and land management.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026 (subject to emergency clause enactment).
  • Administrative process must follow state procurement and fiscal laws; funding may be supplemented by grants/donations to achieve project goals.
  • This act is a reappropriation of previously authorized funds, not new overall funding levels, focused on specific capital and preservation priorities.

Potential impact

  • Provides targeted capital maintenance and land/historic preservation funding for Arkansas heritage initiatives.
  • Enables planning and execution of preservation projects and acquisitions using a clarified and enhanced funding stream.
  • Aims to prevent funding shortfalls at the start of the fiscal year through an emergency clause, reducing operational risk for the Division of Heritage.

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

Sign in to ask a question.