Arkansas authorizes up to $49.98 million for legislative audit operations

Arkansas Legislative Audit may spend up to $49,980,832 from the State Central Services Fund for staff pay and operating costs. The money supports Arkansas Legislative Audit of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee. Actual spending depends on money made available by law and must follow state purchasing, budgeting, and financial control rules. The limits include $34,265,727 for regular salaries, $230,400 for temporary help, and $10,267,305 for employer costs tied to staff pay. Operating limits include $3,914,400 for general expenses, $343,000 for conferences and travel, $760,000 for professional fees, and $200,000 for major purchases. The law took effect July 1, 2026. The spending authorization covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

Arkansas Legislative Audit may employ up to 296 regular employees and ten temporary or part-time employees. The limits cover auditors and other staff who support Arkansas Legislative Audit's work. Temporary or part-time workers may be hired when needed and paid from the money set aside for that purpose. Regular employees have pay limits tied to their listed job grades. Temporary workers' pay cannot exceed the applicable state or act limits for their jobs. These staffing limits apply to the 2026–2027 fiscal year.