WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 26

AN ACT FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL ARKANSAS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

2026 Fiscal Session

The act provides FY2026-2027 funding for the University of Central Arkansas, including explicit salary ceilings, operating support, and major capital improvements financed by state

Notification that SB26 is now Act 78
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 26

Summary of SB 26 (Session 2026F, Arkansas) – University of Central Arkansas Appropriation for FY 2026-2027

Purpose and Intent

  • SB 26 is an appropriations bill that provides funding for the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
  • The bill authorizes spending on personal services (regular salaries and extra help) and operating expenses, including capital improvements and debt service, funded from state and cash funds.

Key Provisions and Changes

Section 1 – Regular Salaries and Staffing Levels

  • Establishes the maximum number of regular full-time employees (12-month Educational and General, Administrative) for FY 2026-2027.
  • Sets explicit salary ceilings for a wide range of administrative and academic positions, including:
    • President of UCA: $365,882
    • Executive Vice President and Provost: $277,092
    • Deans (multiple colleges): $271,941
    • Senior administrative roles (Chief of Staff, CIO, Exec. Asst. to the President, Vice Presidents): $228,939 to $239,531
    • Academic Deans, Associate Provosts, IT leadership, Library positions, and numerous professional, technical, and support roles with specific salary caps (e.g., IT network engineer at $207,404; various director-level and coordinator roles with ranges around $100k-$200k)
    • A large General Faculty pool (12-month and nine-month academic positions) with established pay scales for Distinguished Professors, Professors, Associate Professors, Asst. Professors, Instructors, and Lecturers
    • A separate 12-month Auxiliary Enterprises section including high-level roles such as Head Football Coach, Head Coach/Athletic Director, Senior Physician, and multiple athletic administration positions

Section 2 – Extra Help (Temporary/Part-Time)

  • Authorizes up to 1,600 temporary/part-time “Extra Help” employees for FY 2026-2027.
  • Pay rates must comply with the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act or the act’s applicable rates.

Section 3 – State Operations Appropriation

  • Provides a detailed line-item appropriation for Regular Salaries, Extra Help, and various operating expenses, for the regular university operations:
    • Regular Salaries: $60,350,000
    • Extra Help: $2,044,575
    • Maintenance & General Operating expenses: capped with a separate line item for operating expenses: $20,000
    • Contingency: $2,805,180
    • Total State Operations appropriation: $65,219,755

Section 4 – Cash Funds Appropriation

  • Sets a separate appropriation funded by cash funds to the university for the fiscal year:
    • Regular Salaries: $35,800,000
    • Extra Help: $4,150,000
    • Overtime: $175,000
    • Personal Services Matching: $32,985,000
    • Maintenance & General Operating expenses with detailed subcategories:
    • Operating Expense: $51,560,000
    • Contracted Travel: $1,730,000
    • Professional Fees: $5,875,000
    • Capital Outlay: $2,060,000
    • Data Processing: $0
    • Capital Improvements: $68,600,000
    • Debt Service: $20,500,000
    • Promotional Items: $620,000
    • Total Cash Funds appropriation: $224,055,000

Section 5 – Compliance

  • Reaffirms that disbursement must comply with applicable laws and regulations, including procurement, budgeting, and HEEx restrictions.

Section 6 – Legislative Intent

  • States that funds should be used in accordance with the budget manuals and documented legislative recommendations and intent.

Section 7 – Emergency Clause

  • Declares an emergency, making the Act effective on July 1, 2026, to prevent disruption in operations, and to allow immediate funding upon enactment.

Who Is Affected

  • University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and its governance structure (President, Provost, Deans, Vice Presidents, CIO, HR, fiscal officers, academic/auxiliary staff, and faculty).
  • UCA employees funded by state and cash funds.
  • Related contractors and service providers through contracted professional services and capital projects financed by the cash funds and debt service.

Timelines and Process

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026 (emergency clause to ensure immediate effect).
  • Fiscal year covered: FY 2026-2027 (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027).
  • Action history indicates passage in Senate on April 22, 2026 with emergency clause adopted; awaiting or having moved to the House for final reconciliation.

Potential Impact

  • Provides a comprehensive funding package to support UCA’s personnel and operating needs for the 2026-2027 year.
  • Enables significant capital improvement projects and debt service financing through cash funds.
  • Establishes explicit salary ceilings for numerous positions, guiding recruitment, budgeting, and compensation decisions.
  • Creates a framework for managing temporary staff through a controlled Extra Help allocation.

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

Sign in to ask a question.