HB 1077

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
  Act 127 of the Fiscal Session
1 State of Arkansas  As Engrossed:       H4/21/26
2 95th General Assembly  A Bill
3 Fiscal Session, 2026  HOUSE BILL 1077
4
5 By: Joint Budget Committee
6
7
8For An Act To Be Entitled
9AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES
10AND OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
11SERVICES - DIVISION OF COUNTY OPERATIONS FOR THE
12FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027; AND FOR OTHER
13PURPOSES.
14
15
16Subtitle
17AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN
18SERVICES - DIVISION OF COUNTY OPERATIONS
19APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL
20YEAR.
21
22
23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
24
25SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES - OPERATIONS.  There is hereby established
26 for the Department of Human Services - Division of County Operations for the
27 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following maximum number of regular employees.
28
29Maximum Annual
30Maximum  Salary Rate
31  Item    Class  No. of  Fiscal Year
32   No.    Code       Title  Employees  2026-2027
33   (1)    EEX22A HUMAN SERVICES DIVISION DIRECTOR  1  GRADE EXE02
34   (2)    SSP03C DHS DIVISION ADMINISTRATOR  1  GRADE SPC09
35   (3)    SSP07C SOCIAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR  5  GRADE SPC08
36   (4)    LAT04P ATTORNEY II  1  GRADE SPC05
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1  (5)   SSP09C SOCIAL SERVICES AREA MANAGER  8  GRADE SGS11
2  (6)   SSP14C SOCIAL SERVICES COUNTY MANAGER III       11  GRADE SGS10
3  (7)   CTR03C TRAINING MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS10
4  (8)   PQA02C QUALITY ASSURANCE MANAGER  1  GRADE SGS09
5  (9)   SSP13C SOCIAL SERVICES COUNTY MANAGER II        32  GRADE SGS09
6 (10)   SSP15C SOCIAL SERVICES MANAGER  3  GRADE SGS09
7 (11)   SSP12C SOCIAL SERVICES COUNTY MANAGER I  39  GRADE SGS08
8 (12)   PQA04P QUALITY ASSURANCE SUPVR/EXPERT  5  GRADE SGS08
9 (13)   SSP17P SOCIAL SERVICES SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  1  GRADE SGS08
10 (14)   CTR04P TRAINING SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  6  GRADE SGS08
11 (15)   IIV05P INVESTIGATOR SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  2  GRADE SGS07
12 (16)   PPE04P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SUPVR/EXPERT        187  GRADE SGS07
13 (17)   SSP11P SOCIAL SERVICES COORDINATOR  3  GRADE SGS07
14 (18)   CTR02P TRAINER  21  GRADE SGS07
15 (19)   PPE03P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST II       152  GRADE SGS06
16 (20)   PQA03P QUALITY ASSURANCE SPECIALIST  27  GRADE SGS06
17 (21)   SSP16P SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS06
18 (22)   PAS01P ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST  21  GRADE SGS05
19 (23)   FBU03P BUDGET SPECIALIST  2  GRADE SGS05
20 (24)   FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS05
21 (25)   IIV03P INVESTIGATOR II  20  GRADE SGS05
22 (26)   PPE02P PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST I        977        GRADE SGS05
23 (27)   PAS07I COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE SUPERVISOR  35  GRADE SGS04
24 (28)   PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR  14  GRADE SGS04
25 (29)   FFS04P FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS04
26 (30)   FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST  7  GRADE SGS04
27 (31)   PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST  417  GRADE SGS02
28 (32)   MPH03P PHYSICIAN  1  GRADE MED10
29 (33)   MNU06P REGISTERED NURSE  2  GRADE MED05
30 (34)   IUS04P USER SUPPORT SPECIALIST  5  GRADE IST02
31 (35)   PPR02P PROCUREMENT COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS07
32MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES  2,010
33
34SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - OPERATIONS.   There is hereby authorized, for
35 the Department of Human Services - Division of County Operations - Operations
36 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following maximum number of part-time or
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As Engrossed:     H4/21/26  HB1077
1 temporary employees, to be known as "Extra Help", payable from funds
2 appropriated herein for such purposes: forty-three (43) temporary or part-
3 time employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to exceed those provided in
4 the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or its successor, or this
5 act for the appropriate classification.
6
7SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - OPERATIONS.   There is hereby appropriated,
8 to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the paying account as
9 determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for personal services
10 and operating expenses of the Department of Human Services - Division of
11 County Operations - Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
12 following:
13
14 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
15  NO.  2026-2027
16 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $89,928,947
17 (02)   EXTRA HELP  503,937
18 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  36,871,495
19 (04)   OVERTIME  130,000
20 (05)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
21(A) OPER. EXPENSE  27,469,893
22(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  124,000
23(C) PROF. FEES  19,037,338
24(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
25(E) DATA PROC.  0
26 (06)   DATA PROCESSING SERVICES  20,356,228
27TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $194,421,838
28
29SECTION 4. APPROPRIATION - GRANTS - STATE.   There is hereby
30 appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the
31 Department of Human Services Grants Fund Account, for grant payments of the
32 Department of Human Services - Division of County Operations - Grants - State
33 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
34
35 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
36  NO.  2026-2027
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As Engrossed:   H4/21/26  HB1077
1 (01)   AID TO AGED, BLIND, DISABLED  $4,000
2
3SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - GRANTS.   There is hereby appropriated, to
4 the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the paying account as
5 determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for grant payments of
6 the Department of Human Services - Division of County Operations - Grants for
7 the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
8
9 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
10  NO.  2026-2027
11 (01)   COMMUNITY SERVICE BLOCK GRANT  $13,943,475
12 (02)   SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE
13PROGRAM (SNAP)  5,378,754
14 (03)   TANF BLOCK GRANT  57,200,764
15TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $76,522,993
16
17SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - COUNTY OPERATIONS - MEDICAID TOBACCO
18 SETTLEMENT PROGRAM.     There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human
19 Services, to be payable from the Medicaid Expansion Program Account, for
20 personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Human Services
21 - Division of County Operations - Medicaid Tobacco Settlement Program for the
22 fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
23
24 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
25  NO.  2026-2027
26 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $1,677,881
27 (02)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  704,614
28 (03)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
29(A) OPER. EXPENSE  197,197
30(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  0
31(C) PROF. FEES  0
32(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
33(E) DATA PROC.  0
34 (04)   DATA PROCESSING SERVICES  50,000
35TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $2,629,692
36
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As Engrossed:   H4/21/26  HB1077
1SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION - EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE GRANTS.    There
2 is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Human Services, to be payable
3 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
4 State, for grant payments of the Department of Human Services - Division of
5 County Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
6
7 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
8  NO.  2026-2027
9 (01)   EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE  $2,131,685
10
11SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - SUMMER EBT.   There is hereby appropriated,
12 to the Department of Human Services, to be payable from the paying account as
13 determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for expenses associated
14 with the Summer EBT of the Department of Human Services - Division of County
15 Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
16
17 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
18  NO.  2026-2027
19 (01)   SUMMER EBT  $50,555,398
20
21SECTION 9. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
22 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.      TRANSFER
23 OF TANF BLOCK GRANT FUNDS.   Each fiscal year, the Department of Human
24 Services shall transfer the sum of seven million five hundred thousand
25 dollars ($7,500,000) from the state's federal Temporary Assistance for Needy
26 Families block grant to the Department of Education Division of Elementary
27 and Secondary Education Public School Fund Account to be used solely for the
28 Arkansas Better Chance Program.
29    If the state match for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant
30 or the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant is reduced, the
31 amount to be transferred may be adjusted in proportion to the percentage
32 change in the state match or the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy
33 Families grant. The amount to be transferred may also be reduced
34 proportionately if new cost requirements are imposed upon the state as a
35 result of new or revised Temporary Assistance for Needy Families regulations
36 at the federal level.
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1   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
2 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
3
4      SECTION 10. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.  NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
5 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
6 RESTRICTIONS ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE UNDER THE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY
7 FAMILIES PROGRAM.
8     (a)(1)    Determining the maximum number of employees, the maximum amount
9 of appropriation, for what purposes an appropriation is authorized, and
10 general revenue funding for a state agency each fiscal year is the
11 prerogative of the General Assembly.
12(2)   The purposes of subsection (a) of this section are typically
13 accomplished by:
14(A)   Identifying the purpose in the appropriation act;
15(B)   Delineating such maximums in the appropriation act for a
16 state agency; and
17(C)   Delineating the general revenue allocations authorized for
18 each fund and fund account by amendment to the revenue stabilization law.
19(3)   It is both necessary and appropriate that the General Assembly
20 restrict the use of appropriations authorized in this act.
21     (b)(1)    Upon the request of the Governor or the General Assembly, the
22 Department of Human Services shall request a waiver from the federal
23 government to:
24(A)   Restrict the financial assistance granted to a recipient of
25 the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program or its successor program
26 to purchase goods and services that are considered essential and necessary
27 for the welfare of the family, including without limitation:
28(i)    Food;
29(ii)    Clothing;
30(iii)    Housing;
31(iv)    Utilities;
32(v)    Child care; and
33(vi)    Incidentals, including without limitation
34 transportation and medicine or medical supplies or equipment not covered by
35 either the Arkansas Medicaid Program or the health benefit plan of the
36 individual; and
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1(B)   Restrict the cash withdrawal from an electronic benefit
2 transfer card account that receives financial assistance under the Temporary
3 Assistance for Needy Families Program or its successor program by electronic
4 benefit transfer system.
5(2)   If the federal government denies the waiver application, this
6 section shall not be implemented.
7(3)   If the division does not request a wavier under subdivision
8 (b)(1) of this section, the department shall not allocate, budget, expend, or
9 utilize appropriations under this act for the participation of persons in the
10 Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program.
11   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
12 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
13
14      SECTION 11. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS.  Disbursement of funds
15 authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency
16 and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and
17 the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and
18 Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary
19 Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal
20 control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by
21 the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be
22 strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds.
23
24      SECTION 12. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.        It is the intent of the General
25 Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations
26 contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for
27 which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive
28 Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget
29 manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or
30 summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative
31 Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption.
32
33      SECTION 13. EMERGENCY CLAUSE.  It is found and determined by the
34 General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits
35 the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the
36 effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2026 is essential to the operation of
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1 the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in
2 the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the
3 effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2026 could work irreparable harm
4 upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental
5 programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act
6 being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health
7 and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2026.
8
9/s/Joint Budget Committee
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12APPROVED: 4/29/26
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