ArkansasArkansas authorizes spending for port grants and river navigation
For July 2026 through June 2027, Arkansas allows up to $7 million for ports and river navigation, plus $335,324 for Arkansas Waterways Commission operations, if money is available.
What it does
The law allows up to $5 million in grants to port and intermodal authorities from the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program Fund, if money is available.
The law allows up to $2 million from the Arkansas River Navigation System Fund for transportation improvements on Arkansas's portion of the McClellan-Kerr navigation system, if money is available.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission can spend up to $335,324 from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account on staff and operations, if money is available. Regular staff is capped at three.
Argument forIf money is available, grants and navigation funding could help authorities improve ports and support river shipping within Arkansas.
Argument againstAuthorities could have trouble planning projects around the full spending limits because the law does not guarantee that money will be available.
More detail
The Department of Commerce can spend up to $5 million on grants for port development projects. Port authorities and intermodal authorities can receive grants for port development projects that meet the definition in Arkansas Code 15-23-205. Payments come from the Arkansas Port, Intermodal, and Waterway Development Grant Program Fund. Spending cannot exceed the authorized amount or money available by law, and must follow state financial rules. The spending authorization applies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The Department of Commerce can spend up to $2 million to develop, improve, and expand river transportation resources. The money covers the Arkansas portion of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Payments come from the Arkansas River Navigation System Fund. Spending cannot exceed the authorized amount or money available by law, and must follow state financial rules. The spending authorization applies from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
The Arkansas Waterways Commission can spend up to $335,324 on staff and operations, with a maximum of three regular employees. The staffing limit allows one director, one administrative analyst, and one administrative coordinator. Payments come from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account. Spending cannot exceed the authorized amount or money available by law, and must follow state financial rules. The spending authorization and staffing limits apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 22Notification that HB1046 is now Act 47Became Law
- Apr 16Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.To Governor
- Apr 16TO BE ENROLLED
- Apr 16Returned from the Senate as passed.
- Apr 16Returned to the House as Passed.
- Apr 16EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 16Read the third time and passed.Passed Senate
- Apr 15Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the calendar.Minor
- Apr 15Received from the House.
- Apr 15EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 15Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.Passed House
- Apr 15Considered in the Committee of the Whole, and recommended do pass.
- Apr 15RULES SUSPENDED
- Apr 14Returned by the Committee Do PassMinor
- Apr 8Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEEMinor
- Apr 1FiledIntroduced
TransportationTaxes & Budget