Arkansas sets attorney general spending limits for 2026–2027

The Attorney General’s Office may spend up to $26,392,710 from the State Central Services Fund for its main operations. The budget covers pay and office expenses, with limits of 164 regular employees and 10 temporary or part-time employees. Spending cannot exceed the approved budget or funds available by law. The law caps annual pay by job and requires compliance with applicable state spending rules. This budget applies to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Attorney General’s Office may use separate state and federal budgets for its Medicaid Fraud Division. The budgets allow $1,069,182 from the State Central Services Fund, $3,506,929 in federal funds, and another $498,461 in federal funds for shared operating costs. The state-funded budget allows six regular employees; the federal-funded budget allows 19 regular employees and two temporary or part-time employees. Spending requires available funds, and federal spending uses funds designated by the state’s chief fiscal officer. These budgets apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Attorney General’s Office may use federal funds for its Internet Crimes Against Children work and Cooperative Disability Investigation Program. The $25,000 budget covers operating expenses for Internet Crimes Against Children work. The $486,725 budget covers disability investigation pay and operating expenses. Spending requires available federal funds designated by the state’s chief fiscal officer. The disability investigation program has a limit of three regular employees. Both budgets apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Attorney General’s Office may spend available settlement money and other cash funds within two separate limits. Both budgets cover office costs and grants. The $10 million budget also covers court-ordered payments and consumer education and enforcement. The $31,000 budget covers fund transfers and restitution, meaning repayment for losses. The $10 million budget uses unrestricted settlement fees and other office cash funds. Both budgets are spending ceilings, and payments require available funds. Both spending limits apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Attorney General’s Office may move spending authority between operating budget items and transfer certain cash funds to the State Central Services Fund. Transfers between budget items apply only to the office’s main operations budget. Moving spending authority requires the state chief fiscal officer’s approval and prior review by the Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Cash transferred to the state fund must come from court orders or settlement agreements and must not already be committed to another use. These permissions apply from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.