Arkansas2026Active
HB1035
Funding Arkansas Tobacco Prevention Programs for 2026-2027
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:15 AM
In one sentence
This law provides $14,702,255 to the Department of Health's Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs for salaries and operating expenses during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
What it does
- Sets a maximum limit of 31 regular employees in specific roles such as health managers, epidemiologists, inspectors, nurses, and program specialists.
- Authorizes up to four temporary or part-time workers when needed for extra help.
- Provides money for salaries, office costs, travel, professional fees, nutrition programs, physical activity programs, and direct tobacco prevention activities.
- Allows a transfer of $500,000 from the Tobacco Prevention account to the Breast Cancer Control Fund to pay for Medicaid matching services for breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment.
- Requires approval from the Legislative Council before moving budget amounts between different spending categories.
Who it affects
- The Arkansas Department of Health and its Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Programs staff
- Employees paid with tobacco settlement funds who must be informed that their jobs depend on those specific funds
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not promise state funds will replace tobacco settlement money if those specific funds run out.
- State funds cannot be used to replace expired Tobacco Settlement funds unless the General Assembly and Governor specifically approve it.
- Budget transfers are only allowed for this fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Appropriation
- Money officially set aside by the government for a specific purpose.
- Tobacco Settlement Funds
- Funds collected from tobacco companies used to pay for health programs instead of general state taxes.
- Legislative Council
- A group in the Arkansas government that must approve changes to how budget money is moved between categories under this law.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH - TOBACCO PREVENTION AND CESSATION PROGRAMS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.