RELATING TO NON-GENERAL FUNDS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Nadine Nakamura

House Bill 1103 streamlines funding for the Arkansas Department of Health by repealing certain funds, reallocating $123.2 million, and managing employee costs effectively.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

#birthdefectsspecialfund #departmentofhealth #fees #repeal($) #vitalstatisticsimprovementspecialfund

Bill Information

Bill Number: HB 1103

Title: Relating to Non-General Funds of the Department of Health

Status: Introduced and Passed First Reading

Introduced: January 13, 2025

Classification: Bill

Subject: Birth Defects Special Fund, Department of Health, fees, Repeal ($), Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1103 aims to address the management and appropriation of non-general funds within the Arkansas Department of Health. The bill seeks to repeal certain existing funds and establish new provisions related to the funding of health programs, specifically focusing on the Birth Defects Special Fund and the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund.

Key Provisions

Repeal of Existing Funds: The bill proposes the repeal of the Birth Defects Special Fund and the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund, which may streamline funding processes and eliminate underutilized financial resources.

Appropriation of Funds: The bill outlines the appropriations for personal services and operating expenses for the Department of Health for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. This includes:

Regular salaries for various positions within the Department.
Funding for operational expenses, including maintenance and general operations.

Employee Structure: The bill establishes a maximum number of employees and their respective salary grades, ensuring that the Department can effectively manage its workforce while adhering to budgetary constraints.

Impact

Affected Entities: The primary entity affected by this bill is the Arkansas Department of Health, which will see changes in how it manages its non-general funds. Additionally, the repeal of certain funds may impact programs previously supported by those funds, particularly those related to birth defects and vital statistics.

Financial Implications: The bill includes specific appropriations totaling approximately $123.2 million for the Department of Corrections - Division of Community Correction, which may indirectly affect health-related services by reallocating resources within the state budget.

Procedural Aspects

Legislative Timeline:

January 13, 2025: Bill introduced and passed the first reading.
March 6, 2025: Returned by the Committee with a "Do Pass" recommendation.
March 12, 2025: Read the third time, passed, and ordered transmitted to the Senate.
March 13, 2025: Passed in the Senate and returned to the House.
March 18, 2025: Notification that HB 1103 is now Act 334.

Emergency Clause: The bill includes an emergency clause, indicating that it is intended to take effect immediately upon passage, allowing for swift implementation of the changes proposed.

Related Legislation

Companion Bill: SB 1422, which may address similar issues or provide additional context to the provisions outlined in HB 1103.

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of House Bill 1103, detailing its purpose, key provisions, potential impacts, and procedural history to assist readers in understanding the bill's significance within the legislative framework.

Bill