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HB 1075

AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AND THE DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE - ARKANSAS BIOSCIENCES INSTITUTES APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

Provides $4,791, - wait compute: total ABI funds: Section1 2,375,563 + Section2 2,415,432 = 4,790,995. So sentence: Funds $4,790,995 for ABI and Division of Agriculture to support

Notification that HB1075 is now Act 62
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Bill Summary · HB 1075

Summary of HB 1075 (2026 Session, Arkansas)

Overview

  • Bill: HB 1075
  • Session: 2026 Fiscal Session
  • Jurisdiction: Arkansas
  • Purpose: Annual appropriation for the University of Arkansas and the Division of Agriculture – Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) for the 2026-2027 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2027). Includes personal services, operating expenses, and related items funded from the Arkansas Biosciences Institute Program Account of the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund.
  • Status: Passed the Senate and House with an emergency clause; effective July 1, 2026.

Main Purpose

To appropriate funds for salaries, operating costs, and capital needs for the University of Arkansas’ Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) and the Division of Agriculture’s ABI-related activities for FY 2026-2027, ensuring continued operation of biosciences research and related programs funded through the Tobacco Settlement Program.

Key Provisions and Amounts

Section 1 – Arkansas Biosciences Institute (ABI) – University of Arkansas

  • Source of funds: Arkansas Biosciences Institute Program Account (Tobacco Settlement Program Fund).
  • Fiscal year: 2026-2027.
  • Allocations:
    • Regular Salaries: $480,000
    • Personal Services Matching: $75,000
    • Maintenance & General Operations:
    • Operating Expense: $800,000
    • Conference & Travel: $0
    • Professional Fees: $0
    • Capital Outlay: $1,020,563
    • Data Processing: $0
    • Total for ABI (University): $2,375,563

Section 2 – Division of Agriculture – ABI (University of Arkansas)

  • Source of funds: Arkansas Biosciences Institute Program Account (Tobacco Settlement Program Fund).
  • Fiscal year: 2026-2027.
  • Allocations:
    • Regular Salaries: $1,370,000
    • Personal Services Matching: $365,432
    • Maintenance & General Operations:
    • Operating Expense: $400,000
    • Conference & Travel: $30,000
    • Professional Fees: $100,000
    • Capital Outlay: $150,000
    • Data Processing: $0
    • Total for Division of Agriculture ABI: $2,415,432

Special Language and Operational Flexibility

Section 3 – Transfer Restrictions

  • Funds appropriated cannot be transferred under Arkansas Code 19-4-513 except as provided in this act.
  • Effective: July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
  • Purpose: Establish specific transfer restrictions for these ABI funds.

Section 4 – Transfer Provisions

  • The institution may transfer appropriations between line items within each appropriation, but transfers require prior approval of:
    • Division of Higher Education
    • Chief Fiscal Officer of the State
    • Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee (JBC)
  • Rationale: Provides flexibility to operate more efficiently while maintaining legislative oversight.

Section 5 – Positions (Tobacco Settlement Funds)

  • Not a guarantee of ongoing funding if Tobacco Settlement funds are insufficient.
  • State funds will not replace Tobacco Settlement funds unless appropriated by the General Assembly and authorized by the Governor.
  • Disclosures must be provided to new hires and current positions funded by Tobacco Settlement funds; to be included in employee handbooks or contracts as applicable.
  • Effective: July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.

Section 6 – Compliance and Fiscal Control

  • Disbursement must comply with applicable laws and regulations (Purchasing Law, Budgetary Procedures, etc.).

Section 7 – Legislative Intent

  • Funds must align with the purposes stated in budget manuals, Initiated Act 1 of 2000, and related budget materials and testimony.

Section 8 – Emergency Clause

  • Recognizes the statutory constraint on multi-year appropriations and asserts that the act must be in force on July 1, 2026 to avoid disruption to ABI operations.

Affected Entities

  • University of Arkansas – Arkansas Biosciences Institute
  • University of Arkansas – Division of Agriculture
  • Tobacco Settlement Funds program accounts (ABI program account)

Timeline and Key Dates

  • Effective date for allocations: July 1, 2026
  • Fiscal year covered: 2026-2027 (ending June 30, 2027)
  • Emergency clause: Adopted (ensures immediate effectiveness on July 1, 2026)

Potential Impact

  • Provides targeted funding to maintain and support bioscience research and related agricultural programs through the ABI.
  • Establishes explicit transfer and reporting controls to balance flexibility with legislative oversight.
  • Clarifies the reliance on Tobacco Settlement funds for ongoing positions, with caveats about potential replacement only if appropriated.

If you’d like, I can convert this into a quick one-page briefing for policymakers or create a side-by-side comparison with prior ABI appropriations.

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

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