An Act For The Department Of Human Services - Division Of Developmental Disabilities Services - Jonesboro Human Development Center Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
Summary
HB1389 is a fiscal year 2025-2026 appropriation bill for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, specifically for the Jonesboro Human Development Center (HDC). It authorizes $20 million in capital improvements for Phase 2 of the Jonesboro HDC master plan, including planning, demolition, construction, replacement, renovation, upgrades, and additions to facilities. The bill is an appropriation measure rather than a policy overhaul, and it is tied to the state’s annual budgeting process.
The bill also includes standard fiscal and legal provisions requiring the funds to be spent in compliance with state procurement, accounting, budgetary, salary, and revenue stabilization laws, along with related Department of Finance and Administration rules. It contains legislative intent language tying expenditures to the agency’s budget materials and official legislative records, and an emergency clause making the act effective July 1, 2025 so the funds can be used at the start of the fiscal year.
Impact
HB1389 creates a new $20 million capital-improvements appropriation for the Jonesboro Human Development Center and authorizes DHS-DDDS to use those funds for facility planning and construction-related work during FY2025-2026. It does not amend substantive program eligibility or service rules, but it does affect state spending authority and directs resources toward developmental-disabilities infrastructure at a specific state facility. The act becomes effective July 1, 2025, and the appropriation is limited to the stated fiscal year.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan support and little controversy. The bill passed the House 91-0 and the Senate 35-0 on third reading, indicating unanimous approval in both chambers. No committee transcripts were provided, but the recorded votes show broad agreement with the appropriation and the underlying capital project.
Contention
No notable opposition is reflected in the provided materials. Because the bill is a targeted appropriation for a state developmental-disabilities facility, any potential points of discussion would likely have centered on the size of the capital investment, the scope of the Jonesboro HDC master plan, and the timing of the project, but none of those issues appear as recorded contention in the available transcripts or votes. The absence of dissent suggests the measure was viewed as routine or necessary infrastructure funding.