Parks and tourism agencies would receive fiscal-year funding

The Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism would be allowed to spend funds for state parks, tourism, museums, grants, conservation, stadium operations, and related programs. The funding covers the department’s State Parks and Tourism Divisions and named programs, including outdoor recreation grants, the Delta Heritage Trail, War Memorial Stadium, and an Arkansas wine tourism facility. Spending would be limited to the listed amounts, funding sources, stated purposes, and other state budget and purchasing laws. Special maintenance money for parks and museums would require prior approval from the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. The appropriations apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and the act would take effect July 1, 2026 if enacted.

The department could use or direct money for several temporary activities, including small-festival support, park contest prizes, seasonal stadium labor, and promotional materials. The provisions cover Arkansas communities with fewer than 10,500 people, Division of Arkansas State Parks contests, seasonal events at War Memorial Stadium, and department promotional or educational materials. Small-festival funding would be $150,000 each year from the tourism tax and could support expenses, advertising, marketing, or grants; unused money could support other tourism promotion. Park contest cash prizes could not exceed $10,000 in total per fiscal year. Seasonal stadium extra-help and contract labor would be limited to 1,800 hours, and promotional or educational purchases would be limited to $75,000 each fiscal year. These temporary provisions would apply from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.

The Keep Arkansas Beautiful Commission would be abolished, with its duties, staff, property, records, contracts, and remaining funds transferred to the Office of Keep Arkansas Beautiful. The restructuring covers the commission, its employees and programs, its advisory board, litter-prevention funding, and related retirement and landfill-fee provisions. Existing orders, rules, licenses, registrations, directives, and standards would remain in effect until lawfully changed or repealed. Affected employees would keep earned retirement benefits and could choose between eligible retirement systems within six months after abolition. The advisory board would have five members, with appointments subject to the stated approval rules and terms ending on June 30 of the listed years. The transfers and related provisions would begin when the act takes effect; the bill states that the act would take effect July 1, 2026 if enacted.