Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

Arkansas House Bill HB1097

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 PARKS, HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - DIVISION OF HERITAGE REAPPROPRIATION.

Summary

HB1097 is a fiscal-session reappropriation bill for the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, Division of Heritage. It carries forward unspent balances from prior appropriations so they remain available beginning July 1, 2026 for two specified purposes: up to $750,000 for special maintenance funded through the Arkansas Division of Heritage Special Fund Account, and up to $10 million from the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund for the acquisition, management, stewardship, or preservation of state-owned lands, historic sites, buildings, structures, or objects. The bill is an appropriations measure rather than a policy bill, so it does not create new programs or change substantive eligibility rules. Instead, it extends the life of existing capital-improvement funds and directs how those balances may be used by the Division of Heritage. It also includes standard fiscal controls requiring expenditures to stay within available treasury funds, allowing supplementation with grants, donations, federal funds, or unobligated cash, and prohibiting use of general maintenance-and-operations funds for these projects.

Impact

HB1097 affects state budget authority by reappropriating unused capital improvement balances for heritage-related maintenance and preservation work. It preserves spending authority for the Division of Heritage under existing appropriations from Act 93 of 2025 and Act 297 of 2025, ensuring those funds remain available into the next fiscal period. The bill primarily impacts the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, the Arkansas Division of Heritage Special Fund Account, and the Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund, as well as the state-owned cultural and historic assets that may be maintained or preserved with these funds.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the House and Senate with comfortable margins, and there is no committee transcript indicating significant debate or opposition. As a routine reappropriation measure in the fiscal session, it seems to have been viewed as necessary to maintain continuity in funding for heritage preservation and related capital projects.

Contention

There is little evidence of substantive contention around HB1097. The only potential point of discussion is the allocation of large sums for special maintenance and preservation of state-owned heritage assets, but the available record shows no recorded committee debate or competing viewpoints. The votes suggest limited opposition, with the bill clearing both chambers by wide margins.

Latest AR HB1097 Activity

View All Events: AR 2026 Regular Session HB1097

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

AR HB1394

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - Division Of Heritage Reappropriation.

AR HB1395

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - State Parks And Tourism Divisions Reappropriation.

AR HB1175

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - Division Of Heritage Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

AR SB81

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - State Parks And Tourism Divisions Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

AR HB1607

To Create The Office Of Outdoor Recreation Within The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism.

AR SB370

To Transfer The Arkansas Wine Producers Council From The Department Of Commerce To The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism; And To Declare An Emergency.

AR SB65

An Act For The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism - Capitol Zoning District Commission Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

AR SB251

To Amend The Law Concerning The Executive Secretary Of The Arkansas Trails Council; And To Amend The Law Concerning The Participation Of The Department Of Parks, Heritage, And Tourism On The Arkansas Trails Council.

AR HB1392

An Act For The Department Of Corrections - Division Of Community Correction Reappropriation.

AR HB1396

An Act For The Department Of Corrections - Division Of Correction Reappropriation.

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