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HB 1058

AN ACT FOR THE UAMS - REYNOLDS CENTER ON AGING, BOOZMAN COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH, ARK. BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTE, & THE AREA HEALTH ED. CENTER IN HELENA APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Arkansas appropriates state funds to UAMS medical research, public health education, and rural healthcare workforce programs for fiscal 2026-2027.

Notification that HB1058 is now Act 52
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Bill Summary · HB 1058

Legislative bill overview

HB 1058 appropriates state funding for four University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) entities for fiscal year 2026-2027: the Reynolds Center on Aging, Boozman College of Public Health, Arkansas Biosciences Institute, and the Area Health Education Center in Helena. The bill allocates taxpayer resources to support these medical research, education, and public health institutions.

Why is this important

These UAMS facilities conduct aging research, train public health professionals, advance bioscience innovation, and address healthcare workforce shortages in rural Arkansas. Appropriations determine whether these programs can maintain operations, staff, and initiatives that affect healthcare education and research capacity across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding amounts unclear – The bill text provided does not specify dollar amounts, making it impossible to assess whether allocations are reasonable, sufficient, or excessive compared to previous years or peer institutions
  • Competing priorities – State budget constraints may pit these medical institutions against other pressing needs like K-12 education, infrastructure, or tax relief
  • Rural vs. urban distribution – The Helena Area Health Education Center may receive disproportionate scrutiny regarding cost-effectiveness and reach compared to centralized UAMS operations in Little Rock

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

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