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1 State of Arkansas As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25
2 95th General Assembly
A Bill
3 Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 88
4
5 By: Joint Budget Committee
6
7
8 For An Act To Be Entitled
9 AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES
10 AND OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF
11 EDUCATION - DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION FOR THE
12 FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026; AND FOR OTHER
13 PURPOSES.
14
15
16 Subtitle
17 AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION -
18 DIVISION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
19 APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL
20 YEAR.
21
22
23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:
24
25 SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES - GENERAL OPERATIONS. There is hereby
26 established for the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
27 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the following maximum number of regular
28 employees.
29
30 Maximum Annual
31 Maximum Salary Rate
32 Item Class No. of Fiscal Year
33 No. Code Title Employees 2025-2026
34 (1) U024U DHE DIRECTOR 1 GRADE SE05
35 (2) D022N IT SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER 1 GRADE IT09
36 (3) D012C DATABASE SPECIALIST 2 GRADE IT08
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (4) D007C INFORMATION SYSTEMS MANAGER 2 GRADE IT08
2 (5) D028C SENIOR SOFTWARE SUPPORT SPECIALIST 1 GRADE IT07
3 (6) D016C SENIOR TECHNOLOGY ANALYST 1 GRADE IT06
4 (7) G281C ADE POLICY & SPECIAL PROJECTS DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS15
5 (8) N002N DHE SENIOR ASSOC DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS15
6 (9) N069N ADE SPECIAL ADVISOR 1 GRADE GS14
7 (10) N055N DHE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS14
8 (11) A010C AGENCY CONTROLLER II 1 GRADE GS13
9 (12) N054N DHE CAREER PATHWAYS DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS13
10 (13) N167N DHS POLICY & RESEARCH DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS12
11 (14) A027C ACCOUNTING OPERATIONS MANAGER 1 GRADE GS11
12 (15) G058C DHE FEDERAL PROGRAM MANAGER 2 GRADE GS11
13 (16) E061C ACE PROGRAM COORDINATOR 1 GRADE GS10
14 (17) G071C DHE PROGRAM COORDINATOR 6 GRADE GS10
15 (18) E062C ACE PROGRAM ADVISOR 2 GRADE GS09
16 (19) G102C DHE PROGRAM SPECIALIST 18 GRADE GS09
17 (20) G080C NATIONAL & COMMUNITY SVCS EXEC. DIR. 1 GRADE GS09
18 (21) G295C OSTEOPATHIC RURAL MED PROG ADMIN 1 GRADE GS09
19 (22) G147C GRANTS COORDINATOR 1 GRADE GS07
20 (23) G180C GRANTS ANALYST 1 GRADE GS06
21 (24) A084C PROGRAM/FIELD AUDIT SPECIALIST 1 GRADE GS06
22 (25) C056C ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST III 1 GRADE GS04
23 (26) C073C ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II 1 GRADE GS03
24 MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 52
25
26 SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP - GENERAL OPERATIONS. There is hereby
27 authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education
28 for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the following maximum number of part-time or
29 temporary employees, to be known as "Extra Help", payable from funds
30 appropriated herein for such purposes: fifteen (15) temporary or part-time
31 employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the
32 Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act
33 for the appropriate classification.
34
35 SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - GENERAL OPERATIONS. There is hereby
36 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Division
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 of Higher Education Fund Account, for personal services and operating
2 expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education -
3 General Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
4
5 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
6 NO. 2025-2026
7 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $2,367,990
8 (02) EXTRA HELP 75,000
9 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 777,058
10 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
11 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 909,346
12 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 49,659
13 (C) PROF. FEES 25,000
14 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 50,000
15 (E) DATA PROC. 0
16 (05) STATEWIDE PROMOTION 295,000
17 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $4,549,053
18
19 SECTION 4. EXTRA HELP - STATE BOARD OF PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION. There
20 is hereby authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher
21 Education - State Board of Private Career Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal
22 year, the following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be
23 known as "Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such
24 purposes: two (2) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at rates of
25 pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and
26 Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate
27 classification.
28
29 SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - STATE BOARD OF PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION -
30 OPERATIONS. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to
31 be payable from the Private Career Education Fund, for personal services and
32 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
33 Education - State Board of Private Career Education - Operations for the
34 fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
35
36 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 NO. 2025-2026
2 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $163,983
3 (02) EXTRA HELP 20,000
4 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 55,427
5 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
6 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 63,000
7 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 4,000
8 (C) PROF. FEES 6,000
9 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
10 (E) DATA PROC. 0
11 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $312,410
12
13 SECTION 6. APPROPRIATION - STUDENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS AND VARIOUS
14 SCHOLARSHIPS. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education,
15 to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for providing
16 student assistance grants and various scholarships as provided by law of the
17 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Student Assistance
18 Grants and Various Scholarships for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the
19 following:
20
21 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
22 NO. 2025-2026
23 (01) ARKANSAS FUTURE GRANTS $5,000,000
24 (02) NATIONAL GUARD TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 4,400,000
25 (03) SINGLE PARENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 175,000
26 (04) STATE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM 4,000,000
27 (05) TEACHER OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM 2,500,000
28 (06) AR GEOGRAPHICAL CRITICAL NEEDS
29 MINORITY TEACHER SCHOLARSHIPS 150,000
30 (07) ARKANSAS HEROES SCHOLARSHIP 5,500,000
31 (08) GOVERNOR'S HIGHER EDUCATION
32 TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2,000,000
33 (09) SREB MINORITY DOCTORAL SCHOLARS 175,000
34 (10) WASHINGTON CENTER SCHOLARSHIPS 150,000
35 (11) TUITION ADJUSTMENT 350,000
36 (12) AR ACADEMIC CHALLENGE SCHOLARSHIPS 25,000,000
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (13) AR GOVERNOR'S SCHOLAR 22,000,000
2 (14) STUDENT UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM (SURF) 150,000
3 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $71,550,000
4
5 SECTION 7. APPROPRIATION - TECHNICAL EDUCATION - FEDERAL PROGRAMS.
6 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
7 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
8 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
9 Education - Division of Higher Education - Technical Education - Federal
10 Programs for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
11
12 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
13 NO. 2025-2026
14 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $139,791
15 (02) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 49,594
16 (03) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
17 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 108,271
18 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 80,000
19 (C) PROF. FEES 157,000
20 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
21 (E) DATA PROC. 0
22 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $534,656
23
24 SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. There is
25 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
26 Research Development Fund, for providing Arkansas Research Development
27 Program Grants to Institutions of Higher Education by the Department of
28 Education - Division of Higher Education - Research Development Program for
29 the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
30
31 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
32 NO. 2025-2026
33 (01) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM GRANTS $750,000
34
35 SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - HEALTH EDUCATION GRANTS AND LOANS. There is
36 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for payments of contracts and loans
2 with participating out-of-state institutions of higher learning in the fields
3 of dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, and podiatry for
4 the education of Arkansas citizens by the Department of Education - Division
5 of Higher Education - Health Education Grants and Loans for the fiscal year
6 ending June 30, 2026, the following:
7
8 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
9 NO. 2025-2026
10 (01) CHIROPRACTIC AID $260,000
11 (02) DENTAL AID - GRANTS 2,950,000
12 (03) OPTOMETRY AID - GRANTS 650,000
13 (04) PODIATRY AID 130,400
14 (05) VETERINARY AID FORGIVENESS PROGRAM 1,750,000
15 (06) DENTAL AID - LOANS 987,370
16 (07) OPTOMETRY AID - LOANS 140,000
17 (08) VETERINARY MED. LOAN FORGIVENESS PROGRAM 250,000
18 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $7,117,770
19
20 SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - CASH. There is hereby appropriated, to the
21 Department of Education, to be payable from the cash fund deposited in the
22 State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for
23 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
24 Education - Cash for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
25
26 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
27 NO. 2025-2026
28 (01) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
29 (A) OPER. EXPENSE $269,233
30 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 32,865
31 (C) PROF. FEES 63,932
32 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
33 (E) DATA PROC. 0
34 (02) SCHOLARSHIPS 50,000
35 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $416,030
36
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - PRIVATE CAREER EDUCATION BOARD - CASH.
2 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
3 from the cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by the Chief
4 Fiscal Officer of the State, for operating expenses of the Department of
5 Education - Division of Higher Education - Private Career Education Board -
6 Cash for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
7
8 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
9 NO. 2025-2026
10 (01) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
11 (A) OPER. EXPENSE $9,500
12 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 6,000
13 (C) PROF. FEES 5,000
14 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
15 (E) DATA PROC. 0
16 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $20,500
17
18 SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - STUDENT PROTECTION TRUST. There is hereby
19 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Private
20 Career School Student Protection Trust Fund, for expenses, claims and fees of
21 the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - State Board of
22 Private Career Education - Student Protection Trust for the fiscal year
23 ending June 30, 2026, the following:
24
25 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
26 NO. 2025-2026
27 (01) EXPENSES/CLAIMS/FEES $300,000
28
29 SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - TANF PROGRAM - FEDERAL. There is hereby
30 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the federal
31 funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, for personal
32 services, operating expenses, grants and aid by the Department of Education -
33 Division of Higher Education - TANF Program - Federal for the fiscal year
34 ending June 30, 2026, the following:
35
36 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 NO. 2025-2026
2 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $292,016
3 (02) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 100,134
4 (03) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
5 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 80,000
6 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 60,000
7 (C) PROF. FEES 70,000
8 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
9 (E) DATA PROC. 0
10 (04) SELF SUFFICIENCY/JOB TRAINING GRANTS 6,547,850
11 (05) ENROLLMENT AND EDUCATION 3,000,000
12 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $10,150,000
13
14 SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - WEB BASED APPLICATIONS. There is hereby
15 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher
16 Education Grants Fund Account, for personal services and operating expenses
17 associated with web based applications of the Department of Education -
18 Division of Higher Education - Web Based Applications for the fiscal year
19 ending June 30, 2026, the following:
20
21 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
22 NO. 2025-2026
23 (01) WEB BASED APPLICATIONS PERSONAL
24 SERVICES AND OPERATING EXPENSES $500,000
25
26 SECTION 15. APPROPRIATION - SCHOLARSHIP ADMINISTRATION. There is
27 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
28 Higher Education Grants Fund Account, for personal services and operating
29 expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education -
30 Scholarship Administration for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the
31 following:
32
33 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
34 NO. 2025-2026
35 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $282,079
36 (02) EXTRA HELP 10,000
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 107,174
2 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
3 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 285,000
4 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0
5 (C) PROF. FEES 30,000
6 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
7 (E) DATA PROC. 0
8 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $714,253
9
10 SECTION 16. APPROPRIATION - WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT OF 2015. There is
11 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
12 Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 Fund, for workforce education grants,
13 administrative and operating expenses of the Department of Education -
14 Division of Higher Education - Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 for the
15 fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
16
17 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
18 NO. 2025-2026
19 (01) WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT OF 2015 EXPENSES $8,000,000
20
21 SECTION 17. APPROPRIATION - VETERAN'S APPROVING AGENCY - FEDERAL.
22 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
23 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
24 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
25 Education - Division of Higher Education - Veteran's Approving Agency -
26 Federal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
27
28 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
29 NO. 2025-2026
30 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $239,841
31 (02) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 88,427
32 (03) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
33 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 53,546
34 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 9,623
35 (C) PROF. FEES 0
36 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (E) DATA PROC. 0
2 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $391,437
3
4 SECTION 18. APPROPRIATION - AMERICORPS - OPERATIONS. There is hereby
5 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the Division
6 of Higher Education Fund Account, for personal services, operating expenses,
7 and grants and aid by the Department of Education - Division of Higher
8 Education - AmeriCorps - Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026,
9 the following:
10
11 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
12 NO. 2025-2026
13 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $324,617
14 (02) EXTRA HELP 30,000
15 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 126,827
16 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
17 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 363,650
18 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 85,650
19 (C) PROF. FEES 2,500
20 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
21 (E) DATA PROC. 0
22 (05) GRANTS AND AID 50,000
23 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $983,244
24
25 SECTION 19. APPROPRIATION - AMERICORPS - GRANTS AND AID. There is
26 hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
27 Division of Higher Education Fund Account, for grants and aid by the
28 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - AmeriCorps - Grants
29 and Aid for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
30
31 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
32 NO. 2025-2026
33 (01) GRANTS AND AID $2,010,704
34
35 SECTION 20. APPROPRIATION - OSTEOPATHIC RURAL MEDICAL PRACTICE STUDENT
36 LOAN AND SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. There is hereby appropriated, to the
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund
2 Account, for Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan & Scholarship
3 Program loans and/or scholarships by the Department of Education - Division
4 of Higher Education - Osteopathic Rural Medical Practice Student Loan &
5 Scholarship Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
6
7 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
8 NO. 2025-2026
9 (01) OSTEOPATHIC RURAL MEDICAL PRACTICE
10 STUDENT LOANS/SCHOLARSHIP $400,000
11
12 SECTION 21. APPROPRIATION - GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY
13 EXPANSION BOARD. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of
14 Education, to be payable from the Graduate Medical Education Fund, for
15 planning grants to eligible entities for graduate medical education residency
16 program expansion or new programs, and for board expenses and reimbursements
17 of the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Graduate
18 Medical Education Residency Expansion Board for the fiscal year ending June
19 30, 2026, the following:
20
21 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
22 NO. 2025-2026
23 (01) GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION RESIDENCY EXPANSION BOARD $10,000,000
24
25 SECTION 22. APPROPRIATION - HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
26 UNIVERSITIES GRANTS AND EXPENSES. There is hereby appropriated, to the
27 Department of Education, to be payable from the Higher Education Grants Fund
28 Account, for grants for scholarships to Historically Black Colleges and
29 Universities and for personal services and operating expenses as determined
30 by the Division of Higher Education for outreach programs to promote
31 awareness of those scholarships of the Department of Education - Division of
32 Higher Education - HBCU Grants and Expenses for the fiscal year ending June
33 30, 2026, the following:
34
35 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
36 NO. 2025-2026
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (01) HBCU GRANTS AND EXPENSES $4,000,000
2
3 SECTION 23. APPROPRIATION - ARKANSAS TEACHER ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP
4 PROGRAM. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be
5 payable from the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program Fund, for
6 scholarships, personal services, and operating expenses necessary to create
7 and maintain the Arkansas Teacher Academy Scholarship Program by the
8 Department of Education - Division of Higher Education - Arkansas Teacher
9 Academy Scholarship Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the
10 following:
11
12 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
13 NO. 2025-2026
14 (01) AR TEACHER ACADEMY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM $12,000,000
15
16 SECTION 24. APPROPRIATION - SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
17 FOR STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. There is hereby
18 appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable from the
19 Sustainable Building Maintenance Program for State-Supported Institutions of
20 Higher Education Revolving Loan Fund, for transfers or loans to a state-
21 supported institution of higher education for deferred maintenance, critical
22 maintenance, or renovation of state-owned property of the Department of
23 Education - Division of Higher Education - Sustainable Building Maintenance
24 Program for State-Supported Institutions of Higher Education for the fiscal
25 year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
26
27 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
28 NO. 2025-2026
29 (01) LOANS $7,437,405
30
31 SECTION 25. REGULAR SALARIES - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE.
32 There is hereby established for the Department of Education - Division of
33 Higher Education - Northwest Technical Institute for the 2025-2026 fiscal
34 year, the following maximum number of regular employees.
35
36 Maximum Annual
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 Maximum Salary Rate
2 Item Class No. of Fiscal Year
3 No. Code Title Employees 2025-2026
4 (1) NWT10C NWTI DIRECTOR 1 $169,298
5 (2) NWT07C NWTI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR 2 $127,195
6 (3) NWT19P NWTI NURSE INSTRUCTOR 6 $124,726
7 (4) NWT06P NWTI AMMONIA & INDUST TRAIN SUPV/EXPERT 1 $112,976
8 (5) NWT12P NWTI EDUC PROG SUPV/EXPERT 3 $112,976
9 (6) NWT01P NWTI ACCOUNTANT II 1 $95,564
10 (7) NWT09P NWTI CAREER & TECH FACULTY II 7 $95,564
11 (8) NWT05P NWTI AMMONIA & INDUST TRAINER 2 $93,367
12 (9) NWT21P NWTI USER SUPPORT ANALYST 2 $89,613
13 (10) NWT08P NWTI CAREER & TECH FACULTY I 28 $86,876
14 (11) NWT11P NWTI EDUCATION PROGRAM COORDINATOR 3 $84,879
15 (12) NWT13P NWTI EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 1 $84,879
16 (13) NWT15P NWTI HR COORDINATOR 1 $84,879
17 (14) NWT20P NWTI TRAINER 3 $84,879
18 (15) NWT17P NWTI MAINT SUPERVISOR/EXPERT 2 $77,163
19 (16) NWT02P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST 2 $70,148
20 (17) NWT03P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR 5 $63,770
21 (18) NWT14P NWTI FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 1 $63,770
22 (19) NWT16P NWTI HR SPECIALIST 1 $63,770
23 (20) NWT18P NWTI MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN 3 $57,973
24 (21) NWT04P NWTI ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST 4 $52,703
25 MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 79
26
27 SECTION 26. EXTRA HELP - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE. There is
28 hereby authorized, for the Department of Education - Division of Higher
29 Education - Northwest Technical Institute for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the
30 following maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as
31 "Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: one
32 hundred thirty-five (135) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at
33 rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and
34 Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act for the appropriate
35 classification.
36
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 SECTION 27. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - STATE.
2 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
3 from the Northwest Technical Institute Fund, for personal services and
4 operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
5 Education - Northwest Technical Institute - State for the fiscal year ending
6 June 30, 2026, the following:
7
8 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
9 NO. 2025-2026
10 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $3,199,793
11 (02) EXTRA HELP 453,411
12 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 1,199,110
13 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
14 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 668,564
15 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 44,866
16 (C) PROF. FEES 0
17 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
18 (E) DATA PROC. 0
19 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $5,565,744
20
21 SECTION 28. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - FEDERAL.
22 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
23 from the federal funds as designated by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the
24 State, for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of
25 Education - Division of Higher Education - Northwest Technical Institute -
26 Federal for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following:
27
28 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
29 NO. 2025-2026
30 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $82,696
31 (02) EXTRA HELP 171,492
32 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 47,690
33 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
34 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 14,278
35 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0
36 (C) PROF. FEES 0
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As Engrossed: S3/17/25 S4/3/25 SB88
1 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 0
2 (E) DATA PROC. 0
3 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $316,156
4
5 SECTION 29. APPROPRIATION - NORTHWEST TECHNICAL INSTITUTE - CASH.
6 There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Education, to be payable
7 from cash funds as defined by Arkansas Code �19-4-801, for personal services
8 and operating expenses of the Department of Education - Division of Higher
9 Education - Northwest Technical Institute - Cash for the fiscal year ending
10 June 30, 2026, the following:
11
12 ITEM FISCAL YEAR
13 NO. 2025-2026
14 (01) REGULAR SALARIES $1,005,551
15 (02) EXTRA HELP 556,450
16 (03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 440,606
17 (04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION
18 (A) OPER. EXPENSE 1,894,530
19 (B) CONF. & TRAVEL 15,000
20 (C) PROF. FEES 275,000
21 (D) CAP. OUTLAY 200,000
22 (E) DATA PROC. 0
23 (05) RESALE 325,000
24 TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $4,712,137
25
26 SECTION 30. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
27 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
28 DHE - REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION. Upon
29 determination by the president or chancellor of an institution of higher
30 education that a reallocation of resources for purposes of reorganization or
31 consolidation of administrative functions within the institution is necessary
32 for efficient and effective operations of the institution, the president or
33 chancellor, with approval of the institution's board of trustees, may have
34 the authority to transfer positions, appropriations and related funds between
35 campuses, divisions, branches, and other budgetary units of the institution,
36 after receiving prior approval of the Legislative Council or Joint Budget
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1 Committee. The transfers of positions, programs, or activities shall be used
2 for those purposes for which the appropriations were approved by the General
3 Assembly. The transfers, consolidations, or reorganizations which involve
4 academic programs shall be reviewed by the Division of Higher Education prior
5 to submission to the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee. Provided,
6 however, that the institution shall be limited to submitting no more than two
7 (2) individual transaction transfer requests during any fiscal year and shall
8 be further limited to no more than five percent (5%) of the total General
9 Revenue and Special Revenue appropriation, funding, positions specific to
10 each institution, and no Tobacco Settlement funds or appropriations may be
11 reallocated pursuant to this section.
12 Determining the maximum number of employees and the maximum amount of
13 appropriation and general revenue funding for institutions of higher
14 education each fiscal year is the prerogative of the General Assembly. This
15 is usually accomplished by delineating such maximums in the appropriation
16 act(s) for institutions of higher education and the general revenue
17 allocations authorized for each fund and fund account by amendment to the
18 Revenue Stabilization law. Further, the General Assembly has determined that
19 institutions of higher education may operate more efficiently if some
20 flexibility is provided to institutions of higher education authorizing broad
21 powers under this section. Therefore, it is both necessary and appropriate
22 that the General Assembly maintain oversight by requiring prior approval of
23 the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee as provided by this
24 section. The requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint
25 Budget Committee is not a severable part of this section. If the requirement
26 of approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is ruled
27 unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this entire section is
28 void.
29 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
30 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
31
32 SECTION 31. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
33 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
34 DHE - BUILDING MAINTENANCE FUND. After the sum of $13,200,000 has been
35 deposited into the Higher Education Building Maintenance Fund, any additional
36 deposits are to be transferred to the Research Development Fund there to be
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1 used as provided by law.
2 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
3 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
4
5 SECTION 32. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
6 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
7 DHE - TRANSFER PROVISION. Upon certification by the Director of the Division
8 of Higher Education that transfers are needed to make maximum utilization of
9 funds and appropriations provided for financial aid programs, and with the
10 approval of the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State and a review by the
11 Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, funds and
12 appropriations may be transferred between financial aid programs to more
13 adequately align the appropriation with the number of eligible students.
14 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
15 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
16
17 SECTION 33. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
18 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
19 DHE - TRANSFER OF HIGHER EDUCATION GRANTS FUND APPROPRIATIONS - HEALTH
20 EDUCATION GRANTS AND LOANS. Upon certification to and with the approval of
21 the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State, surplus funds and appropriations may
22 be transferred between the appropriations provided for "Health Education
23 Grants and Loans" by this Act by the General Assembly for Dental Aid Grants
24 and Loans, Optometry Aid Grants and Loans, Veterinary Aid, Veterinary Med.
25 Loan Forgiveness Program, Podiatry Aid, and Chiropractic Aid.
26 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
27 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
28
29 SECTION 34. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
30 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
31 DHE - CONTINGENCY APPROPRIATIONS - TRANSFERS AND REPORTS. (a) Upon approval
32 by the Department of Education - Division of Higher Education and the Chief
33 Fiscal Officer of the State, institutions of higher education may transfer
34 appropriation from the cash contingency appropriation to any other
35 appropriation made to the institution from cash funds including the
36 establishment of commitment items, and may transfer appropriation from the
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1 contingency appropriation made payable from each institution's State Treasury
2 Fund to the state operations appropriation made payable from each
3 institution's State Treasury Fund including the establishment of commitment
4 items, and may transfer appropriation from the contingency appropriation made
5 payable from the Tobacco Settlement Program Fund Accounts to any other
6 appropriation made to the institution from Tobacco Settlement Program Fund
7 Accounts including the establishment of commitment items.
8 (b) Contingency appropriation transfers shall only establish and
9 supplement commitment items that were recommended by the Higher Education
10 Coordinating Board in the budget manuals presented to the Legislative Council
11 and Joint Budget Committee.
12 (c) The Department of Education - Division of Higher Education shall
13 report contingency appropriation transfers and the establishment of any
14 commitment items authorized by this Section to the Legislative Council or
15 Joint Budget Committee for review during its July meeting. The report shall
16 include, by institution, the establishment of, and the amounts transferred
17 to, each commitment item, the reasons therefor and the source of funds.
18 Institutions shall submit contingency appropriation transfer and commitment
19 item establishment requests authorized by this Section to the Division of
20 Higher Education no later than July 1. Upon the failure of an institution to
21 submit the required information by the July 1 deadline, the Department of
22 Education - Division of Higher Education shall immediately notify by written
23 notification the chairpersons of the Legislative Council or Joint Budget
24 Committee.
25 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
26 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
27
28 SECTION 35. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
29 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
30 DHE WORKFORCE INITIATIVE ACT FUNDING. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State
31 may transfer, on his or her books and those of the State Treasurer and the
32 Auditor of the State, funding up to the amount authorized in the Workforce
33 Initiative Act of 2015 appropriation section in this Act, from the Division
34 of Higher Education Fund Account to the Workforce Initiative Act of 2015 Fund
35 in order to finance the distribution of grants identified under �6-60-107.
36 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
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1 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
2
3 SECTION 36. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
4 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
5 DHE - STATEWIDE SCHOLARSHIP AND GRANT PROMOTION. Of the general revenue that
6 is received by and distributed from the Higher Education Grants Fund Account,
7 the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State shall transfer two hundred ninety-five
8 thousand dollars ($295,000) to the Division of Higher Education Fund Account
9 to be allocated, budgeted, committed and distributed to the Statewide
10 Scholarship and Grant Promotion line item in the General Operations section
11 of this Act for the purpose of increasing public awareness of the
12 scholarships and grants programs and initiatives offered by the State through
13 the Arkansas Department of Education - Division of Higher Education. The
14 Department shall utilize a minimum of one hundred forty-seven thousand five
15 hundred dollars ($147,500) of the aforementioned total specifically for the
16 promotion of the Arkansas Future Grant Program.
17 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
18 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
19
20 SECTION 37. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS
21 CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW.
22 GOVERNOR'S HIGHER EDUCATION TRANSITION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. The Department
23 of Education - Division of Higher Education shall provide for the
24 administration of the "Governor's Higher Education Transition Scholarship
25 Program" as appropriated in the Student Assistance Grants and Various
26 Scholarships Appropriation section of this Act to assist students accepted
27 into transitional programs for students with intellectual and/or
28 developmental disabilities at state institutions of higher education and
29 shall promulgate rules for the implementation of the program and for the
30 disbursement of scholarships to eligible students.
31 The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024
32 2025 through June 30, 2025 2026.
33
34 SECTION 38. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Disbursement of funds
35 authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency
36 and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and
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1 the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and
2 Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary
3 Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal
4 control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by
5 the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be
6 strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds.
7
8 SECTION 39. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the General
9 Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations
10 contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for
11 which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive
12 Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget
13 manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or
14 summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative
15 Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption.
16
17 SECTION 40. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It is found and determined by the
18 General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits
19 the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the
20 effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2025 is essential to the operation of
21 the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in
22 the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the
23 effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2025 could work irreparable harm
24 upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental
25 programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act
26 being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health
27 and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2025.
28
29 /s/Joint Budget Committee
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
20 04-03-2025 14:49:24 KMW014Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.