Arkansas sets spending limits for veterans’ services and homes

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs can spend within the listed limits on workers and daily services. State operations use the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account and include $516,000 for county veterans’ service offices. Veterans’ homes use a cash fund held in the state treasury. Spending cannot exceed the listed limits or available money, and state purchasing and budget rules apply. The department can have up to 305 regular employees and 30 temporary or part-time veterans’ home workers when needed, within the listed pay limits. These spending and staffing limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs can use cash and federal money for a Northwest Arkansas state veterans’ home. Allowed uses include buying land, building or renovating the home, and buying equipment. The $15 million cash allowance supplies matching money for the project. These are spending ceilings, not guaranteed payments; spending depends on available money. The spending limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs can pay for cemeteries, military funeral honors, and services for disabled veterans and veterans’ children. State cemetery operations and both service offices use the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account. Cash cemetery operations use a state-held cash fund. Funeral honors use the Military Funeral Honors Fund. Spending depends on available money and must follow state purchasing and budget rules. Cemeteries can employ up to five temporary or part-time workers when needed, within the stated pay limits. The Arkansas Veterans’ Child Welfare Service budget includes $107,762 for assistance to minor children. These spending and temporary staffing limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The state’s chief fiscal officer must authorize a transfer of up to $50,000 in leftover department operating money for cemetery upkeep and realignment. This rule covers unused Department of Veterans Affairs operating money in that account. The money must remain in the department’s Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account and move into a separate account for cemetery upkeep and realignment. The department must explain the need to carry over money in writing to the state budget office before June 30, 2026. The budget office must report carried-over amounts by the September legislative meeting. The department must report the project’s status at least 30 days before presenting its budget request. The transfer is tied to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. The carryover section applies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.