Arkansas sets spending limits for Public Service Commission operations

The Arkansas Public Service Commission may spend up to the listed amounts for staff and operations. Utilities spending comes from the Public Service Commission Fund. Tax spending comes from the Tax Division Fund. Pipeline safety spending comes from the Public Service Commission Utility Safety Fund. Actual spending cannot exceed the authorized amounts or the money available by law. The commission must follow state purchasing, budgeting, and other financial rules. The law took effect July 1, 2026. This spending authority covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The commission may employ regular staff and temporary help within the listed limits. Utilities may also have up to six temporary or part-time workers, and the tax division may have up to five. Temporary or part-time staff may be hired when needed, using money set aside for that purpose. Regular positions have listed pay grades. Temporary workers' pay cannot exceed the applicable rates under state pay rules or this law. These staffing limits apply to the fiscal year from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The commission must return travel reimbursements to the fund or account that paid the original expense. The rule covers travel reimbursements received by the Arkansas Public Service Commission. The returned money must also be credited to the same spending authorization that covered the original travel expense. This reimbursement rule applies only from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.