Arkansas2026Active
HB1059
Funding for School Buildings and Buses in Arkansas (2026-2027)
Last scannedAug 22, 2026, 3:15 AM
In one sentence
This law provides money to the Department of Education's Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation for staff salaries, daily operations, and grants for school building projects during the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
What it does
- Sets a maximum limit of 32 regular employees with specific job titles such as inspectors and program coordinators.
- Allows up to five temporary or part-time workers, known as 'Extra Help,' when needed.
- Provides $3,065,682 from the Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation Fund Account for salaries and operating expenses.
- Allocates over $215 million in grants to public school districts for academic facilities partnership programs and catastrophic repairs through the Educational Facilities Partnership Fund Account.
- Permits moving money between budget lines with approval from state officials, limited to two requests per fiscal year.
Who it affects
- The Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Public School Academic Facilities and Transportation
- Public school districts in Arkansas that receive grants for facilities or transportation aid
Limits and unknowns
- Funds must follow existing state laws regarding purchasing, accounting, and salary rules.
- Money can only be spent for the specific reasons listed in official budget documents and legislative records.
- The ability to move money between accounts requires approval from the Chief Fiscal Officer and either the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.
Plain language
Terms to know
- Appropriation
- An official act by the government to set aside a specific amount of money for a certain purpose.
- Fiscal Year
- A 12-month period used for budgeting, which in this case runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
- Transfer Authority
- The power given to an agency director to move money between different parts of the budget after getting approval from state leaders.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION - DIVISION OF PUBLIC SCHOOL ACADEMIC FACILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.