Arkansas2026Active
HB1055
Funding for Arkansas Early Childhood Programs in 2026-2027
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:15 AM
In one sentence
This law provides money and sets staff limits for the Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood to run programs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
What it does
- Sets a maximum limit of 138 regular employees with specific job titles and pay grades for the office.
- Allows up to 13 temporary or part-time workers when needed during the fiscal year.
- Provides $14,635,808 from state funds for salaries, operations, travel, professional fees, and grants.
- Allocates over $188 million in federal funds specifically for early childhood expenses.
- Sets aside separate amounts for child care program grants ($9 million), facility grants ($200,000), and loan guarantees.
Who it affects
- The Department of Education - Office of Early Childhood
- Employees working in early childhood programs within the state agency
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not list specific names of people who will receive grants, only that funds are available for them.
- Funds must be spent following other state laws regarding procurement and accounting procedures.
- The exact amount of federal money received may depend on designations made by the Chief Fiscal Officer.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Appropriation
- The official action of setting aside a specific amount of government money for a certain purpose.
- Fiscal Year
- A one-year period used by the government for budgeting, which runs from July 1 to June 30 in this case.
- Extra Help
- Temporary or part-time workers hired only when needed beyond the regular staff limit.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.