ArkansasArkansas corrections agency could use remaining funds for listed projects
Starting July 1, 2026, the Department could use capped amounts of remaining funds for listed projects, with special limits on prison-expansion spending.
What it does
The Division would have access to specified remaining funds for prison expansion and other facility, farm, and industry projects, within the listed spending caps.
The Department would have to use prison-expansion funds to add capacity, including beds that could relieve county jails, and could not use them to build a prison in Franklin County.
Argument forThe remaining money could help the Division complete facility, camera, flooring, farm, and industry projects, including prison expansion and a water plant replacement.
Argument againstIf state funds are unavailable, the Division may have to delay or scale back listed projects because it cannot take on costs beyond available funds.
More detail
The act would make specified remaining funds available for listed Division of Correction projects. Projects include prison expansion, facility improvements, a Tucker Unit water plant, Wrightsville cameras, McPherson flooring, and farm and industry work. The listed female work release amount is $0. Each listed amount is a maximum. Contracts and other obligations cannot exceed funds actually available; grants, donations, and available agency funds may supplement them. The appropriations would take effect July 1, 2026. No end date for them is stated.
The Department would have to use the prison-expansion funds to create capacity and could not use them to build a prison in Franklin County. This applies to the prison-expansion funds in Section 1(A), capped at $73,790,755. Permitted purposes include expanding programs that reduce reoffending, improving infrastructure, and adding beds to relieve county jails holding state inmates. These spending restrictions would apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Apr 28Correctly enrolled and ordered transmitted to the Governor's Office.To Governor
- Apr 28TO BE ENROLLED
- Apr 28Returned from the Senate as passed.
- Apr 28Returned to the House as Passed.
- Apr 28EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 28Read the third time and passed.Passed Senate
- Apr 27Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and placed on the calendar.Minor
- Apr 27Received from the House.
- Apr 27EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
- Apr 27Read the third time and passed and ordered transmitted to the Senate.Passed House
- Apr 23Returned by the Committee Do PassMinor
- Apr 14Read the first time, rules suspended, read the second time and referred to the Committee on JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEEMinor
- Apr 14FiledIntroduced
Criminal JusticeTaxes & Budget