Bill would fund PBS dues through education department matching payments

The Department of Education would have up to $550,000 available to pay annual PBS membership dues. The money would support the Department of Education’s Educational Television Division and would come from the Educational Television Fund Account. Payments would be limited to the amount appropriated and to funds made available under state law. State fiscal, procurement, accounting, and budget rules would apply. The appropriation would cover the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and the act would take effect July 1, 2026, if enacted.

The Educational Television Division would match eligible private donations dollar for dollar for PBS membership dues. Eligible donations would be those received by the division or the Arkansas TV Foundation for paying PBS membership dues. The division would certify the donation amount to the Department of Education secretary before state funds were paid. Matching payments could not exceed the appropriation. The division would certify donations on December 31, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Any unused balance would return to the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund. Matching payments would be made after certification on December 31, 2026, and June 30, 2027; these special rules would expire June 30, 2027.