Bill
HB 1096
Reappropriates remaining 2025 capital funds to upgrade facilities, maintenance, IT, safety, and equipment across Arkansas higher-ed institutions starting July 1, 2026.
HB 1096 (2026F) – Arkansas Higher Education Reappropriation Act
Overview
- Purpose: Reappropriate the balances of capital improvement appropriations (2025Act 298) for Arkansas higher education institutions. The bill specifies, on July 1, 2026, the remaining funds from prior capital projects and maintenance programs to be reallocated to the Development and Enhancement Fund for various institutions and project categories.
Key Provisions and Changes
- General mechanism: For each listed institution, the bill designates specific “balances” from the 2025 appropriation and sets an explicit maximum amount to be reappropriated to FY 2026 for defined purposes (e.g., renovation, critical maintenance, deferred maintenance, equipment/library replacements, IT upgrades, security, etc.). Amounts are presented as not-to-exceed figures.
- Institutions covered (sample of sections):
- Arkansas Northeastern College: roof renovation/replacement, critical maintenance, deferred maintenance, equipment/library holdings.
- Arkansas State University – Beebe: Owen Center renovation, State Hall renovation, IT infrastructure expansion, critical maintenance, deferred maintenance, equipment/library replacements.
- Arkansas State University – Mid-South: classroom technology upgrades, student laptop upgrades, campus security, IT infrastructure, critical and deferred maintenance, equipment/library replacements.
- Arkansas State University – Mountain Home: Technical Center roof coating, critical maintenance equipment, IT infrastructure, Vada Sheid Center, security upgrades, deferred maintenance, equipment/library replacements.
- Arkansas State University – Newport: Nursing/Health Professions Building; Main Building renovations; Phase 2 PV Solar; deferred and critical maintenance; equipment/library replacements.
- ASU Three Rivers: workforce training expansion; Career Center Classroom Building; energy management; Science Building renovation; Facilities Management; deferred maintenance; equipment/library replacements.
- Black River Technical College; Cossatot CC; National Park College; Ozarka College; Phillips CC; SAU-Tech; Southeast Arkansas College; South Arkansas College; University of Arkansas Community Colleges at Batesville, Hope-Texarkana, Morrilton, Rich Mountain; and others receive similarly delineated reappropriations for institutional projects (campus facilities, roofs, HVAC, technology, ADA compliance, security, and maintenance).
- Specific categories frequently addressed:
- Renovation/Replacement of facilities and roofs
- Critical maintenance and deferred maintenance
- IT infrastructure, network upgrades, and classroom technology
- Security system upgrades and campus safety
- Equipment and library holdings replacements
- Energy/utility projects (PV solar, energy management)
- ADA compliance and accessibility improvements
- Disbursement controls (Section 25): Funds must be disbursed in line with available State Treasury funds; grants, donations, or unobligated cash income may supplement the appropriation, but existing operating budgets cannot be diverted for these capital purposes.
- Legislative intent and emergency clause: Sections 26–27 articulate intent to comply with budgetary manuals and declare an emergency to ensure immediate effectiveness on July 1, 2026 (the act is designed to be in force for the 2026–07 period).
Timeline and Effect
- Effective date: July 1, 2026 (emergency clause). Reappropriations are contingent upon the balances remaining from previously funded capital projects (Act 298 of 2025) and are to be disbursed from the Development and Enhancement Fund.
- Purpose: Facilitate continued capital improvements, maintenance, IT upgrades, and safety enhancements across a broad range of Arkansas higher education institutions.
Impact
- Provides targeted funding for facility upgrades, maintenance, and technology across many colleges and universities in Arkansas.
- Aims to prevent loss or delay of planned improvements by reallocating existing capital funds rather than new appropriations.
- Affects facilities managers, finance officers, and capital project planners at each institution by establishing predefined funding ceilings for specified projects.
Note: Some line items use placeholder amounts (e.g., “not to exceed …”) indicating that final appropriation totals would be clarified during final drafting or amendments.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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