Arkansas House Bill HB1082

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/14/26
• Refer: 4/14/26
• Report Pass: 4/21/26
• Engrossed: 4/22/26
• Enrolled: 4/23/26
• Chaptered: 4/27/26
• Passed: 4/27/26

Caption

AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES - DIVISION OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES SERVICES REAPPROPRIATION.

Summary

HB1082 is a fiscal-session appropriation measure that reappropriates unspent balances from a prior capital improvement act for the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. The bill extends the availability of two existing appropriations beginning July 1, 2026: up to $5,382,921 for implementation of the Booneville Human Development Center residential housing plan, and up to $7,227,176 for continued master plan work at Human Development Centers statewide. The authorized uses include demolition, construction, replacement, renovation, upgrades, and additions to facilities. The bill does not create a new program or change eligibility rules; instead, it keeps previously approved capital funds available for continued facility projects. It also includes standard fiscal controls requiring that spending not exceed available treasury funds, allowing supplementation with federal grants, donations, or unobligated cash income, and prohibiting use of general maintenance-and-operations funds for these capital purposes. An emergency clause makes the act effective July 1, 2026, reflecting the need to maintain continuity in agency capital planning and project administration.

Impact

HB1082 affects state budget authority rather than substantive law by reappropriating capital improvement balances for the Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. It preserves funding for facility modernization and housing-related improvements at the Booneville Human Development Center and other Human Development Centers, while keeping the spending tied to the purposes approved in the earlier appropriation. The act also reinforces existing fiscal-control statutes and procurement requirements by directing compliance with state purchasing, accounting, budgetary, and revenue-stabilization laws.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been noncontroversial and broadly supported. It passed the House 97-0 and the Senate 32-0, and there is no committee transcript indicating debate or opposition. The unanimous votes suggest consensus around continuing funding for developmental disabilities facilities and capital improvements.

Contention

No notable contention is reflected in the available record. Because the measure is a reappropriation bill, any potential concerns would likely have centered on whether the remaining balances should continue to be reserved for the Booneville Human Development Center and other Human Development Center projects, but no objections, amendments, or opposing arguments are shown in the transcripts or votes. The bill’s fiscal and procedural provisions are standard for appropriation measures and do not appear to have been disputed.