Arkansas sets spending limits for legislative staff and committee work

The law authorizes up to $22,486,891 for the Bureau of Legislative Research and the Arkansas Legislative Council. The money comes from the State Central Services Fund. It covers staff pay, office operations, and building needs, including $3,393,480 for unexpected needs. Actual spending cannot exceed the authorized amounts or the money made available by law. Spending must follow applicable state purchasing, budgeting, and pay rules. The law took effect July 1, 2026, and this authorization covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law authorizes money for legislative committee studies and payments to lawmakers attending committee activities. The Bureau of Legislative Research handles this money for Arkansas General Assembly committees and lawmakers attending regular meetings, special meetings, or other committee activities. Both amounts come from the State Central Services Fund. Payments cannot exceed the authorized amounts or available funds and must follow applicable state spending rules. These authorizations cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The law caps regular staff positions at 134 and allows up to 31 temporary or part-time workers when needed. These limits cover employees of the Bureau of Legislative Research of the Arkansas Legislative Council. Temporary workers must be paid from money authorized for that purpose and within the applicable pay limits. The director may temporarily use the listed alternative job titles and pay grades, but doing so cannot increase the authorized number of positions. The staffing limits cover the 2026–2027 fiscal year. Permission to use alternative job classifications runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.