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HB 1546

Study of establishing a law school in northwest Indiana.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Earl Harris

House Bill 1546 allocates $26 million to the Arkansas Department of Corrections for inmate medical care and county reimbursements, ensuring essential services continue.

First reading: referred to Committee on Rules and Legislative Procedures
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Bill Summary · HB 1546

Summary of House Bill 1546 (HB 1546)

Overview

House Bill 1546, now known as Act 335, is a legislative measure aimed at providing supplemental appropriations for the Arkansas Department of Corrections - Division of Correction. The bill was introduced on February 20, 2025, and has since been passed and enacted.

Purpose

The primary intent of HB 1546 is to allocate additional funds to support the operational expenses of the Department of Corrections, specifically for medical contracts and reimbursements to counties housing state inmates. This supplemental funding is necessary due to unforeseen circumstances that have led to insufficient funds for essential governmental services.

Key Provisions

The bill includes the following significant appropriations:

  1. Medical Contracts Appropriation

    • Amount: $19,500,000
    • Purpose: To cover costs associated with medical contracts for the Department of Corrections.
    • Source: Funds will be drawn from the Shared Services Paying Account, supplementing the previous appropriations made by Act 49 of 2024.

  2. County Jail Reimbursement Appropriation

    • Amount: $6,500,000
    • Purpose: To reimburse counties that house state inmates.
    • Source: Funds will be allocated from the County Jail Reimbursement Fund, also supplementing previous appropriations from Act 49 of 2024.

  3. Fund Transfers

    • The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State is mandated to transfer the specified amounts from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund to the respective accounts immediately upon the act's effective date.

  4. Compliance and Legislative Intent

    • The bill emphasizes compliance with existing state laws regarding fiscal control and procurement.
    • It states the legislative intent to ensure that disbursements align with the reasons for which the appropriations were made.

  5. Emergency Clause

    • An emergency clause has been adopted, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon passage to prevent disruption in essential services provided by the Department of Corrections.

Impact

The enactment of HB 1546 will directly affect:
- Department of Corrections: The additional funding will help maintain essential services, including medical care for inmates.
- Counties: The reimbursement will support local governments housing state inmates, alleviating financial burdens.

Procedural Timeline

  • February 20, 2025: Bill filed and read for the first time.
  • March 12, 2025: Passed in the House and sent to the Senate.
  • March 13, 2025: Passed in the Senate with an emergency clause adopted.
  • March 18, 2025: Notification that HB 1546 is now Act 335.

In summary, HB 1546 serves as a critical financial measure to ensure the continued operation of correctional facilities and support local governments involved in housing state inmates, reflecting the state's commitment to maintaining essential services in the face of funding challenges.

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

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