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SB 28

AN ACT FOR THE SOUTH ARKANSAS COLLEGE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Funds South Arkansas College for 2026-27, setting staffing ceilings, operating needs, and large capital improvements with emergency take effect July 1, 2026.

Notification that SB28 is now Act 11
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Bill Summary · SB 28

Summary of SB 28 (Session 2026F, Arkansas) – South Arkansas College Appropriation for 2026-2027

Purpose and Intent

  • SB 28 is an appropriation bill establishing the funding and staffing framework for South Arkansas College (SAC) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
  • The act covers personal services, operating expenses, capital improvements, debt service, and related administrative details.
  • An emergency clause is included to ensure the act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Key Provisions

1) Regular Salaries and Staffing (Operations)

  • Sets the maximum number of regular employees for 2026-2027 in multiple categories:
    • TWELVE MONTH EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL
    • Administrative Positions (e.g., President; IT-related roles; various senior administrators such as Vice Presidents, Directors, Deans, and associated support staff).
    • The list enumerates specific titles with corresponding maximum annual salary rates for each role.
    • Notable high-salary positions include:
      • President, SAC: $214,799
      • Vice-Presidents (Academic Affairs, Admin. Services, Student Services): $161,671 each
      • Chief Information Officer: $161,671
      • Several Director-level and Dean-level roles with salaries ranging from about $104,496 to $172,403, depending on title.
    • TWELVE MONTH AUXILIARY ENTERPRISES POSITIONS
    • Includes positions such as Conference Center Director, Athletic Director, Project/Program Administrator/Director/Manager/Specialist, Campus Store Manager, Events Planner, and various support pools (Fiscal, Public Safety, Administrative, etc.).
    • TENURE-BASED ACADEMIC POSITIONS
    • TWELVE MONTH EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL ACADEMIC POSITIONS: Division Chairpersons; Librarian; Director roles in Allied Health and Adult Education; Instructor positions for Nursing & Allied Health.
    • NINE MONTH EDUCATIONAL AND GENERAL ACADEMIC POSITIONS: Faculty (64 slots) and Part-Time Faculty (80 slots).
    • The document lists 302 as the maximum total number of employees across all categories.

2) Extra Help – Operations

  • Authorizes up to 175 part-time or temporary (“Extra Help”) positions for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
  • Pay rates must align with the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act (or as updated by law).

3) Appropriation – State Operations

  • Totals for State Operations (funded from the South Arkansas College Fund):
    • Regular Salaries: $4,372,011
    • Extra Help: $214,227
    • Personal Services Matching: $1,339,930
    • Maintenance & General Operation:
    • Operating Expense: $1,452,411
    • Contingency: $368,929
    • Grand Total (State Operations): $7,747,508

4) Appropriation – Cash Funds

  • Cash funds appropriations for the same period include:
    • Regular Salaries: $6,500,000
    • Extra Help: $400,000
    • Overtime: $50,000
    • Personal Services Matching: $2,645,000
    • Maintenance & General Operation:
    • Operating Expense: $7,801,664
    • Contractual/Travel/Professional Fees: $317,389 combined (with specific allocations listed)
    • Capital Outlay: $500,000
    • Data Processing: $0
    • Capital Improvements: $14,896,454
    • Debt Service: $1,000,000
    • Fund Transfers, Refunds and Investments: $100,000
    • Promotional Items: $63,465
    • Grand Total (Cash Funds): $34,273,972

5) Compliance and Governance

  • Disbursement restricted to appropriations and applicable funds, subject to state procurement and budgetary laws and higher education expenditure restrictions.
  • The act references standard legislative intent provisions to ensure funds align with budget manuals and reported approvals.
  • Emergency clause declares the act effective on July 1, 2026.

Who Is Affected

  • South Arkansas College (SAC) and its students, faculty, and staff.
  • SAC’s administrative leadership (presidents, vice-presidents, directors, deans, etc.).
  • SAC’s various functional areas (IT, public safety, finance, human resources, academic departments, etc.).
  • External stakeholders may include contractors, vendors, and entities receiving funds for capital improvements and capital projects.

Timeline and Effective Date

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026 (to align with the 2026-2027 fiscal year).
  • The bill includes an emergency clause to ensure immediate effectiveness upon enactment.

Overall Impact

  • Provides a detailed budgeted framework for SAC’s operating and capital needs for 2026-2027.
  • Establishes a defined headcount ceiling for regular and auxiliary staff across multiple divisions.
  • Enables substantial capital investment, including a large capital improvements appropriation, and supports debt service obligations.
  • Sets the groundwork for SAC’s personnel compensation, operating expenditures, and project funding in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

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

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