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HB1046

Arkansas Waterways Commission Budget for 2026-2027

Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:15 AM

In one sentence

This law provides money to the Arkansas Department of Commerce's Waterways Commission to pay staff, run daily operations, and fund specific waterway projects.

What it does

  • Sets a limit of three regular employees for the commission with maximum salary rates based on job grades.
  • Provides $335,324 from state funds for salaries, travel, matching services, and general office costs.
  • Allocates $5 million in grants to help port authorities and intermodal authorities build or improve waterway projects.
  • Assigns $2 million to develop, improve, and expand the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System within Arkansas.
  • Requires all spending to follow existing state laws on buying goods, accounting, budget rules, and salary procedures.

Who it affects

  • The Department of Commerce - Arkansas Waterways Commission
  • Port authorities in Arkansas that receive development grants
  • Intermodal authorities involved with waterway projects

Limits and unknowns

  • Money can only be spent for the reasons listed in this act or related budget documents.
  • Spending must follow strict state rules about how agencies buy things, manage money, and pay salaries.
  • The law does not list specific projects that will receive the $5 million in grants.

Plain language

Terms to know

Appropriation
An official act by the government to set aside money for a specific purpose.
Fiscal Year
A one-year period used for budgeting, which runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027.
McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System
The river transportation system in Arkansas that includes locks and dams for boat travel.

Official record

Sources

Source attached

Official summary

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE - ARKANSAS WATERWAYS COMMISSION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.