AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REAPPROPRIATION.

2026 Fiscal Session

Reappropriates up to $191.5 million for the State Crime Laboratory Facility Project, with strict use of available funds and possible external funding,Effective July 1, 2026.

Notification that HB1091 is now Act 112

Main purpose and intent

Reappropriate and repurpose existing capital improvement funds for the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS), specifically for the State Crime Laboratory facility project.

Ensure ongoing funding for capital improvements and facilities related to DPS, with conditions designed to comply with state fiscal controls and emergency timing.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1 — Reappropriation for Crime Lab facility

Reappropriates the balance from prior capital improvement funding related to the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Facility Project.

Effective date: July 1, 2026.

Amount: The balance cannot exceed $191,524,398.

Source: Payable from the Development and Enhancement Fund to the DPS State Crime Laboratory.

Section 2 — Disbursement controls

Establishes that contract awards or obligations for the described projects cannot exceed funds actually available, unless supplemented by grants, donations, Federal funds, or unobligated cash income/funds.

Agencies may supplement state funds with such external sources to finance the entire project costs.

Prohibits using Maintenance and General Operations funds for the purposes of the appropriations in this act.

Requires strict adherence to applicable fiscal laws and regulations (State Purchasing Law, General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, Revenue Stabilization Law, etc.) in disbursement, unless otherwise provided by law.

Section 3 — Legislative intent

Clarifies that funds disbursed under this act should align with the stated reasons for adoption, supported by agency requests, executive recommendations, and legislative recommendations as documented in budget manuals and official proceedings.

Section 4 — Emergency clause

Declares an emergency to ensure immediate effectiveness on July 1, 2026.

Rationale: The Constitution restricts appropriations to one year, and delay could harm the operation of essential governmental programs.

Effect: The act is in full force and effect from July 1, 2026.

Who or what would be affected

Primary: Arkansas Department of Public Safety, specifically the State Crime Laboratory and its facility project.

Beneficiaries/impacted parties: DPS operations dependent on capital improvements for the crime laboratory facility; DPS funding structures will be constrained by the prohibition on using Maintenance and General Operations funds for these purposes.

External funding sources: Grants, donations (including Federal funds) and unobligated cash income/funds may be used to supplement state funds for financing the project.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Effective date: July 1, 2026 (subject to emergency clause making it effective immediately upon passage).

Funding source: Development and Enhancement Fund.

Disbursement oversight: Strict compliance with state fiscal controls; external funds can supplement state funds; no excess contracting beyond available funds.

Legislative intent alignment: Funds must reflect the reasons and analyses presented in budget materials and official minutes.

Bottom-line impact

Reallocates and preserves up to $191.5 million for the State Crime Laboratory Facility Project, subject to funds available and eligible external funding.

Provides a structured framework to manage capital improvements while enforcing fiscal discipline and emergency implementation to avoid disruption to essential public safety infrastructure.

Bill