SB 58

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
  Act 138 of the Fiscal Session
1 State of Arkansas
2 95th General Assembly  A Bill
3 Fiscal Session, 2026  SENATE BILL 58
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
11EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE
12FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2027; AND FOR OTHER
13PURPOSES.
14
15
16Subtitle
17AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION -
18DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
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 - GENERAL OPERATIONS.  There is hereby
26 established for the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
27 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following maximum number of regular
28 employees.
29
30Maximum Annual
31Maximum  Salary Rate
32  Item    Class  No. of  Fiscal Year
33   No.    Code       Title  Employees  2026-2027
34   (1)    EEX13A COMMISSIONER OF HIGHER EDUCATION  1  GRADE EXE03
35   (2)    EEA03C HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER  1  GRADE SPC09
36   (3)    FAC10C CONTROLLER  1  GRADE SPC06
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1   (4)   EEP04C EDUCATION PROGRAM MANAGER  1  GRADE SPC06
2   (5)   EES03P EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL SUPV/EXP  2  GRADE SPC06
3   (6)   FAC03P ACCOUNTING COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SPC03
4   (7)   EES01P EDUCATION PROFESSIONAL I  15  GRADE SPC02
5   (8)   EEP06P EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPV/EXPERT  1  GRADE SGS10
6   (9)   EEP03P EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR  14  GRADE SGS07
7  (10)   EEP05P EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST  1  GRADE SGS06
8  (11)   FGM02P GRANTS COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS05
9  (12)   PAS02P ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR  1  GRADE SGS04
10  (13)   FGM01P GRANTS ANALYST  1  GRADE SGS04
11  (14)   PAS03P ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST  3  GRADE SGS02
12  (15)   IIS07C IT INFRASTRUCTURE ENGINEER  4  GRADE IST10
13  (16)   IIS01P IT COORDINATOR  1  GRADE IST08
14  (17)   IIP02P IT PROJECT MANAGER  1  GRADE IST08
15  (18)   IIS04P IT INFRASTRUCTURE ANALYST  1  GRADE IST06
16  (19)   IIS09P IT INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALIST  1  GRADE IST04
17MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES  52
18
19SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - GENERAL OPERATIONS.   There is hereby
20 authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
21 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the following maximum number of part-time or
22 temporary employees, to be known as "Extra Help", payable from funds
23 appropriated herein for such purposes: fifteen (15) temporary or part-time
24 employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the
25 Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act
26 for the appropriate classification.
27
28SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - GENERAL OPERATIONS.    There is hereby
29 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Division
30 of Higher Education Fund Account, for personal services and operating
31 expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education -
32 General Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
33
34 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
35  NO.  2026-2027
36 (01)    REGULAR SALARIES  $2,368,390
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1 (02)   EXTRA HELP  75,000
2 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  777,152
3 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
4(A) OPER. EXPENSE  909,346
5(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  49,659
6(C) PROF. FEES  25,000
7(D) CAP. OUTLAY  50,000
8(E) DATA PROC.  0
9 (05)   STATEWIDE PROMOTION  295,000
10TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $4,549,547
11
12SECTION 4. EXTRA HELP - STATE BOARD OF PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION.    There
13 is hereby authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher
14 Education - State Board of Private Career Education for the 2026-2027 fiscal
15 year, the following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be
16 known as "Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such
17 purposes: two (2) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at rates of
18 pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and
19 Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate
20 classification.
21
22SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - STATE BOARD OF PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION -
23 OPERATIONS.   There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to
24 be payable from the Private Career Education Fund, for personal services and
25 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
26 Education - State Board of Private Career Education - Operations for the
27 fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
28
29 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
30  NO.  2026-2027
31 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $163,983
32 (02)   EXTRA HELP  20,000
33 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  55,427
34 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
35(A) OPER. EXPENSE  63,000
36(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  4,000
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1(C) PROF. FEES  6,000
2(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
3(E) DATA PROC.  0
4TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $312,410
5
6SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS AND VARIOUS
7 SCHOLARSHIPS.   There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education,
8 to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for providing
9 student assistance grants and various scholarships as provided by law of the
10 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Student Assistance
11 Grants and Various Scholarships for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
12 following:
13
14 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
15  NO.  2026-2027
16 (01)   ARKANSAS FUTURE GRANTS  $5,000,000
17 (02)   NATIONAL GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM  4,400,000
18 (03)   SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM  175,000
19 (04)   STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM  4,000,000
20 (05)   TEACHER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM  2,500,000
21 (06)   AR GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL NEEDS
22MINORITY TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS  150,000
23 (07)   ARKANSAS HEROES SCHOLARSHIP  5,500,000
24 (08)   GOVERNOR'S HIGHER EDUCATION
25TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM  2,000,000
26 (09)   SREB MINORITY DOCTORAL SCHOLARS  175,000
27 (10)   WASHINGTON CENTER SCHOLARSHIPS  150,000
28 (11)   TUITION ADJUSTMENT  350,000
29 (12)   AR ACADEMIC CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIPS  25,000,000
30 (13)   AR GOVERNOR'S SCHOLAR  22,000,000
31 (14)   STUDENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM(SURF)       150,000
32TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $71,550,000
33
34SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION - TECHNICAL EDUCATION - FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
35 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
36 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
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1 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
2 Education - Division of Higher Education - Technical Education - Federal
3 Programs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
4
5 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
6  NO.  2026-2027
7 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $139,791
8 (02)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  49,594
9 (03)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
10(A) OPER. EXPENSE  108,271
11(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  80,000
12(C) PROF. FEES  157,000
13(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
14(E) DATA PROC.  0
15TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $534,656
16
17SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM.    There is
18 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
19 Research Development Fund, for providing Arkansas Research Development
20 Program Grants to Institutions of Higher Education by the Department of
21 Education - Division of Higher Education - Research Development Program for
22 the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
23
24 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
25  NO.  2026-2027
26 (01)   RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS  $750,000
27
28SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - HEALTH EDUCATION GRANTS AND LOANS.     There is
29 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
30 Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for payments of contracts and loans
31 with participating out-of-state institutions of higher learning in the fields
32 of dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, and podiatry for
33 the education of Arkansas citizens by the Department of Education - Division
34 of Higher Education - Health Education Grants and Loans for the fiscal year
35 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
36
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1 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
2  NO.  2026-2027
3 (01)   CHIROPRACTIC AID  $260,000
4 (02)   DENTAL AID - GRANTS  2,950,000
5 (03)   OPTOMETRY AID - GRANTS  650,000
6 (04)   PODIATRY AID  130,400
7 (05)   VETERINARY AID FORGIVENESS PROGRAM  1,750,000
8 (06)   DENTAL AID - LOANS  987,370
9 (07)   OPTOMETRY AID - LOANS  140,000
10 (08)   VETERINARY MED. LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM  250,000
11TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $7,117,770
12
13SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - CASH.    There is hereby appropriated, to the
14 Department of Education, to be payable from the cash fund deposited in the
15 State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for
16 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
17 Education - Cash for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
18
19 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
20  NO.  2026-2027
21 (01)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
22(A) OPER. EXPENSE  $269,233
23(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  32,865
24(C) PROF. FEES  63,932
25(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
26(E) DATA PROC.  0
27 (02)   SCHOLARSHIPS  50,000
28TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $416,030
29
30SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION BOARD - CASH.
31 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
32 from the cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief
33 Fiscal Officer of the State, for operating expenses of the Department of
34 Education - Division of Higher Education - Private Career Education Board -
35 Cash for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
36
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1 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
2  NO.  2026-2027
3 (01)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
4(A) OPER. EXPENSE  $9,500
5(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  6,000
6(C) PROF. FEES  5,000
7(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
8(E) DATA PROC.  0
9TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $20,500
10
11SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - STUDENT PROTECTION TRUST.   There is hereby
12 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Private
13 Career School Student Protection Trust Fund, for expenses, claims, and fees
14 of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - State Board
15 of Private Career Education - Student Protection Trust for the fiscal year
16 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
17
18 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
19  NO.  2026-2027
20 (01)   EXPENSES/CLAIMS/FEES  $300,000
21
22SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - TANF PROGRAM - FEDERAL.   There is hereby
23 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the federal
24 funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for personal
25 services, operating expenses, grants and aid by the Department of Education -
26 Division of Higher Education - TANF Program - Federal for the fiscal year
27 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
28
29 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
30  NO.  2026-2027
31 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $292,016
32 (02)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  100,134
33 (03)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
34(A) OPER. EXPENSE  80,000
35(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  60,000
36(C) PROF. FEES  70,000
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1(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
2(E) DATA PROC.  0
3 (04)   SELF SUFFICIENCY/JOB TRAINING GRANTS  6,547,850
4 (05)   ENROLLMENT AND EDUCATION  3,000,000
5TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $10,150,000
6
7SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - WEB BASED APPLICATIONS.   There is hereby
8 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher
9 Education Grants Fund Account, for personal services and operating expenses
10 associated with web based applications of the Department of Education -
11 Division of Higher Education - Web Based Applications for the fiscal year
12 ending June 30, 2027, the following:
13
14 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
15  NO.  2026-2027
16 (01)   WEB BASED APPLICATIONS PERSONAL
17SERVICES AND OPERATING EXPENSES  $500,000
18
19SECTION 15. APPROPRIATION - SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION.   There is
20 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
21 Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for personal services and operating
22 expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education -
23 Scholarship Administration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
24 following:
25
26 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
27  NO.  2026-2027
28 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $283,079
29 (02)   EXTRA HELP  10,000
30 (03)   ADDITIONAL FRINGE BENEFITS  0
31 (04)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  107,410
32 (05)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
33(A) OPER. EXPENSE  285,000
34(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  0
35(C) PROF. FEES  30,000
36(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
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1(E) DATA PROC.  0
2TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $715,489
3
4SECTION 16. APPROPRIATION - WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT OF 2015.    There is
5 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
6 Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 Fund, for workforce education grants,
7 administrative and operating expenses of the Department of Education -
8 Division of Higher Education - Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 for the
9 fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
10
11 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
12  NO.  2026-2027
13 (01)   WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT OF 2015 EXPENSES  $8,000,000
14
15SECTION 17. APPROPRIATION - VETERAN'S APPROVING AGENCY - FEDERAL.
16 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
17 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
18 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
19 Education - Division of Higher Education - Veteran's Approving Agency -
20 Federal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
21
22 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
23  NO.  2026-2027
24 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $241,441
25 (02)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  88,805
26 (03)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
27(A) OPER. EXPENSE  53,546
28(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  9,623
29(C) PROF. FEES  0
30(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
31(E) DATA PROC.  0
32TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $393,415
33
34SECTION 18. APPROPRIATION - AMERICORPS - OPERATIONS.   There is hereby
35 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Division
36 of Higher Education Fund Account, for personal services, operating expenses,
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1 and grants and aid by the Department of Education - Division of Higher
2 Education - AmeriCorps - Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027,
3 the following:
4
5 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
6  NO.  2026-2027
7 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $324,617
8 (02)   EXTRA HELP  30,000
9 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  126,827
10 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
11(A) OPER. EXPENSE  363,650
12(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  85,650
13(C) PROF. FEES  2,500
14(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
15(E) DATA PROC.  0
16 (05)   GRANTS AND AID  50,000
17TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $983,244
18
19SECTION 19. APPROPRIATION - AMERICORPS - GRANTS AND AID.      There is
20 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
21 Division of Higher Education Fund Account, for grants and aid by the
22 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - AmeriCorps - Grants
23 and Aid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
24
25 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
26  NO.  2026-2027
27 (01)   GRANTS AND AID  $2,010,704
28
29SECTION 20. APPROPRIATION - OSTEOPATHIC RURAL MEDICAL PRACTICE STUDENT
30 LOAN AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.      There is hereby appropriated, to the
31 Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund
32 Account, for for Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan &
33 Scholarship Program loans and/or scholarships of the Department of Education
34 - Division of Higher Education - Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student
35 Loan & Scholarship Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
36 following:
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1
2 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
3  NO.  2026-2027
4 (01)   OSTEOPATHIC RURAL MEDICAL PRACTICE
5STUDENT LOANS/SCHOLARSHIP  $400,000
6
7SECTION 21. APPROPRIATION - GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY
8 EXPANSION BOARD.   There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of
9 Education, to be payable from the Graduate Medical Education Fund, for
10 planning grants to eligible entities for graduate medical education residency
11 program expansion or new programs, and for board expenses and reimbursements
12 of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Graduate
13 Medical Education Residency Expansion Board for the fiscal year ending June
14 30, 2027, the following:
15
16 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
17  NO.  2026-2027
18 (01)   GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY
19EXPANSION BOARD  $10,000,000
20
21SECTION 22. APPROPRIATION - HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
22 UNIVERSITIES GRANTS AND EXPENSES.   There is hereby appropriated, to the
23 Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund
24 Account, for grants for scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and
25 Universities and for personal services and operating expenses as determined
26 by the Division of Higher Education for outreach programs to promote
27 awareness of those scholarships of the Department of Education - Division of
28 Higher Education - HBCU Grants and Expenses for the fiscal year ending June
29 30, 2027, the following:
30
31 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
32  NO.  2026-2027
33 (01)   HBCU GRANTS AND EXPENSES  $4,000,000
34
35SECTION 23. APPROPRIATION - ARKANSAS TEACHER ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP
36 PROGRAM.   There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be
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1 payable from the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program Fund, for
2 scholarships, personal services, and operating expenses necessary to create
3 and maintain the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program by the
4 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Arkansas Teacher
5 Academy Scholarship Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the
6 following:
7
8 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
9  NO.  2026-2027
10 (01)    AR TEACHER ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM  $12,000,000
11
12SECTION 24. APPROPRIATION - SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
13 FOR STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.  There is hereby
14 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
15 Sustainable Building Maintenance Program for State-Supported Institutions of
16 Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund, for transfers or loans to a state-
17 supported institution of higher education for deferred maintenance, critical
18 maintenance, or renovation of state-owned property of the Department of
19 Education - Division of Higher Education - Sustainable Building Maintenance
20 Program for State-Supported Institutions of Higher Education for the fiscal
21 year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
22
23 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
24  NO.  2026-2027
25 (01)    LOANS  $7,437,405
26
27SECTION 25. REGULAR SALARIES - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.        There is
28 hereby established for the Department of Education - Division of Higher
29 Education - Northwest Technical Institute for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the
30 following maximum number of regular employees.
31
32Maximum Annual
33Maximum  Salary Rate
34  Item   Class  No. of  Fiscal Year
35   No.   Code    Title  Employees  2026-2027
36   (1)   NWT10C NWTI DIRECTOR  1  $169,298
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1  (2)   NWT07C NWTI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR  2  $127,195
2  (3)   NWT19P NWTI NURSE INSTRUCTOR  6  $124,726
3  (4)   NWT06P NWTI AMMONIA & INDUST TRNG SUPV/EXP      1  $112,976
4  (5)   NWT12P NWTI EDUCATION PROGRAM SUPV/EXP  3  $112,976
5  (6)   NWT09P NWTI CAREER & TECHNICAL FACULTY II       7  $95,564
6  (7)   NWT01P NWTI ACCOUNTANT II  1  $95,564
7  (8)   NWT05P NWTI AMMONIA & INDUSTRIAL TRAINER        2  $93,367
8  (9)   NWT21P NWTI USER SUPPORT ANALYST  2  $89,613
9 (10)   NWT08P NWTI CAREER & TECHNICAL FACULTY I      28  $86,876
10 (11)   NWT11P NWTI EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR       3  $84,879
11 (12)   NWT13P NWTI EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT  1  $84,879
12 (13)   NWT15P NWTI HR COORDINATOR  1  $84,879
13 (14)   NWT20P NWTI TRAINER  3  $84,879
14 (15)   NWT17P NWTI MAINT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT  2  $77,163
15 (16)   NWT02P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST  2  $70,148
16 (17)   NWT03P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR  5  $63,770
17 (18)   NWT14P NWTI FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST  1  $63,770
18 (19)   NWT16P NWTI HR SPECIALIST  1  $63,770
19 (20)   NWT18P NWTI MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN  3  $57,973
20 (21)   NWT04P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST  4  $52,703
21MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES  79
22
23SECTION 26. EXTRA HELP - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.   There is
24 hereby authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher
25 Education - Northwest Technical Institute for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the
26 following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as
27 "Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: one
28 hundred thirty-five (135) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at
29 rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and
30 Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate
31 classification.
32
33SECTION 27. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - STATE.
34 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
35 from the Northwest Technical Institute Fund, for personal services and
36 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
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1 Education - Northwest Technical Institute - State for the fiscal year ending
2 June 30, 2027, the following:
3
4 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
5  NO.  2026-2027
6 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $3,201,793
7 (02)   EXTRA HELP  453,411
8 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  1,199,562
9 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
10(A) OPER. EXPENSE  668,564
11(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  44,866
12(C) PROF. FEES  0
13(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
14(E) DATA PROC.  0
15TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $5,568,196
16
17SECTION 28. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEDERAL.
18 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
19 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
20 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
21 Education - Division of Higher Education - Northwest Technical Institute -
22 Federal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, the following:
23
24 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
25  NO.  2026-2027
26 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $82,696
27 (02)   EXTRA HELP  171,492
28 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  47,690
29 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
30(A) OPER. EXPENSE  14,278
31(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  0
32(C) PROF. FEES  0
33(D) CAP. OUTLAY  0
34(E) DATA PROC.  0
35TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $316,156
36
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1SECTION 29. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - CASH.
2 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
3 from cash funds as defined by Arkansas Code §19-4-801, for personal services
4 and operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
5 Education - Northwest Technical Institute - Cash for the fiscal year ending
6 June 30, 2027, the following:
7
8 ITEM  FISCAL YEAR
9  NO.  2026-2027
10 (01)   REGULAR SALARIES  $1,006,351
11 (02)   EXTRA HELP  556,450
12 (03)   PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING  440,787
13 (04)   MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
14(A) OPER. EXPENSE  1,894,530
15(B) CONF. & TRAVEL  15,000
16(C) PROF. FEES  275,000
17(D) CAP. OUTLAY  200,000
18(E) DATA PROC.  0
19 (05)   RESALE  325,000
20TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED  $4,713,118
21
22SECTION 30. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.    NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
23 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
24 DHE - REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Upon
25 determination by the president or chancellor of an institution of higher
26 education that a reallocation of resources for purposes of reorganization or
27 consolidation of administrative functions within the institution is necessary
28 for efficient and effective operations of the institution, the president or
29 chancellor, with approval of the institution's board of trustees, may have
30 the authority to transfer positions, appropriations and related funds between
31 campuses, divisions, branches, and other budgetary units of the institution,
32 after receiving prior approval of the Legislative Council or Joint Budget
33 Committee.      The transfers of positions, programs, or activities shall be used
34 for those purposes for which the appropriations were approved by the General
35 Assembly. The transfers, consolidations, or reorganizations which involve
36 academic programs shall be reviewed by the Division of Higher Education prior
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1 to submission to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Provided,
2 however, that the institution shall be limited to submitting no more than two
3 (2) individual transaction transfer requests during any fiscal year and shall
4 be further limited to no more than five percent (5%) of the total General
5 Revenue and Special Revenue appropriation, funding, positions specific to
6 each institution, and no Tobacco Settlement funds or appropriations may be
7 reallocated pursuant to this section.
8Determining the maximum number of employees and the maximum amount of
9 appropriation and general revenue funding for institutions of higher
10 education each fiscal year is the prerogative of the General Assembly.       This
11 is usually accomplished by delineating such maximums in the appropriation
12 act(s) for institutions of higher education and the general revenue
13 allocations authorized for each fund and fund account by amendment to the
14 Revenue Stabilization law.    Further, the General Assembly has determined that
15 institutions of higher education may operate more efficiently if some
16 flexibility is provided to institutions of higher education authorizing broad
17 powers under this section. Therefore, it is both necessary and appropriate
18 that the General Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of
19 the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee as provided by this
20 section.    The requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint
21 Budget Committee is not a severable part of this section.     If the requirement
22 of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is ruled
23 unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this entire section is
24 void.
25    The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
26 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
27
28SECTION 31. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
29 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
30 DHE - BUILDING MAINTENANCE FUND. After the sum of $13,200,000 has been
31 deposited into the Higher Education Building Maintenance Fund, any additional
32 deposits are to be transferred to the Research Development Fund there to be
33 used as provided by law.
34    The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
35 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
36
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1SECTION 32. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
2 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
3 DHE - TRANSFER PROVISION.   Upon certification by the Director of the Division
4 of Higher Education that transfers are needed to make maximum utilization of
5 funds and appropriations provided for financial aid programs, and with the
6 approval of the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and a review by the
7 Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, funds and
8 appropriations may be transferred between financial aid programs to more
9 adequately align the appropriation with the number of eligible students.
10    The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
11 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
12
13SECTION 33. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
14 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
15 DHE -   TRANSFER OF HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS - HEALTH
16 EDUCATION GRANTS AND LOANS. Upon certification to and with the approval of
17 the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, surplus funds and appropriations may
18 be transferred between the appropriations provided for "Health Education
19 Grants and Loans" by this Act by the General Assembly for Dental Aid Grants
20 and Loans, Optometry Aid Grants and Loans, Veterinary Aid, Veterinary Med.
21 Loan Forgiveness Program, Podiatry Aid, and Chiropractic Aid.
22    The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
23 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
24
25SECTION 34. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
26 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
27 DHE - CONTINGENCY APPROPRIATIONS - TRANSFERS AND REPORTS.     (a)   Upon approval
28 by the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education and the Chief
29 Fiscal Officer of the State, institutions of higher education may transfer
30 appropriation from the cash contingency appropriation to any other
31 appropriation made to the institution from cash funds including the
32 establishment of commitment items, and may transfer appropriation from the
33 contingency appropriation made payable from each institution’s State Treasury
34 Fund to the state operations appropriation made payable from each
35 institution’s State Treasury Fund including the establishment of commitment
36 items, and may transfer appropriation from the contingency appropriation made
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1 payable from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund Accounts to any other
2 appropriation made to the institution from Tobacco Settlement Program Fund
3 Accounts including the establishment of commitment items.
4   (b)     Contingency appropriation transfers shall only establish and
5 supplement commitment items that were recommended by the Higher Education
6 Coordinating Board in the budget manuals presented to the Legislative Council
7 and Joint Budget Committee.
8   (c) The Department of Education - Division of Higher Education shall
9 report contingency appropriation transfers and the establishment of any
10 commitment items authorized by this Section to the Legislative Council or
11 Joint Budget Committee for review during its July meeting. The report shall
12 include, by institution, the establishment of, and the amounts transferred
13 to, each commitment item, the reasons therefor and the source of funds.
14 Institutions shall submit contingency appropriation transfer and commitment
15 item establishment requests authorized by this Section to the Division of
16 Higher Education no later than July 1. Upon the failure of an institution to
17 submit the required information by the July 1 deadline, the Department of
18 Education - Division of Higher Education shall immediately notify by written
19 notification the chairpersons of the Legislative Council or Joint Budget
20 Committee.
21   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
22 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
23
24SECTION 35. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
25 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
26 DHE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT FUNDING. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State
27 may transfer, on his or her books and those of the State Treasurer and the
28 Auditor of the State, funding up to the amount authorized in the Workforce
29 Initiative Act of 2015 appropriation section in this Act, from the Division
30 of Higher Education Fund Account to the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 Fund
31 in order to finance the distribution of grants identified under §6-60-107.
32   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
33 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
34
35SECTION 36. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
36 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
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1 DHE - STATEWIDE PROMOTION.   Of the general revenue that is received by and
2 distributed from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account, the Chief Fiscal
3 Officer of the State shall transfer two hundred ninety-five thousand dollars
4 ($295,000) to the Division of Higher Education Fund Account to be allocated,
5 budgeted, committed and distributed to the Statewide Promotion line item in
6 the General Operations section of this Act for the purpose of increasing
7 public awareness of the programs and initiatives offered by the State through
8 the Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Higher Education.       The
9 Department shall utilize a minimum of one hundred forty-seven thousand five
10 hundred dollars ($147,500) of the aforementioned total specifically for the
11 promotion of the Arkansas Future Grant Program.
12   The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025
13 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
14
15      SECTION 37. SPECIAL LANGUAGE.   NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
16 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
17 GOVERNOR'S HIGHER EDUCATION TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.     The Department
18 of Education - Division of Higher Education shall provide for the
19 administration of the "Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship
20 Program" as appropriated in the Student Assistance Grants and Various
21 Scholarships Appropriation section of this Act to assist students accepted
22 into transitional programs for students with intellectual and/or
23 developmental disabilities at state institutions of higher education and
24 shall promulgate rules for the implementation of the program and for the
25 disbursement of scholarships to eligible students.
26      The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1,
27 2025 2026 through June 30, 2026 2027.
28
29      SECTION 38. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS.      Disbursement of funds
30 authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency
31 and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and
32 the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and
33 Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary
34 Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal
35 control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by
36 the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be
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1 strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds.
2
3      SECTION 39. LEGISLATIVE INTENT.   It is the intent of the General
4 Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations
5 contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for
6 which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive
7 Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget
8 manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or
9 summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative
10 Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption.
11
12      SECTION 40. EMERGENCY CLAUSE.   It is found and determined by the
13 General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits
14 the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the
15 effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2026 is essential to the operation of
16 the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in
17 the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the
18 effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2026 could work irreparable harm
19 upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental
20 programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act
21 being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health
22 and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2026.
23
24
25APPROVED: 4/29/26
26
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