Arkansas House Bill HB1015

Arkansas 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/24
• Refer: 4/10/24
• Report Pass: 4/16/24
• Engrossed: 4/24/24
• Enrolled: 4/25/24
• Chaptered: 4/30/24
• Passed: 4/30/24

Caption

An Act For Arkansas Legislative Audit Of The Legislative Joint Auditing Committee Appropriation For The 2024-2025 Fiscal Year.

Impact

The passage of HB 1015 is significant as it provides essential funding for a key governmental body responsible for auditing public sectors and ensuring proper use of state funds. By guaranteeing the operations of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, the bill aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in public spending. This measure underscores the importance of adequate funding for state agencies in maintaining oversight roles, which can ultimately impact the effectiveness of government operations and public trust in governance.

Summary

House Bill 1015 is an act dedicated to appropriating funds for personal services and operating expenses for the Arkansas Legislative Audit of the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill outlines a total appropriation of approximately $48.9 million, which includes allocations for regular salaries, personal services matching, maintenance and general operation expenses, and capital outlay. The intent of this bill is to ensure the smooth operation of legislative audits within the state government, reflecting an ongoing commitment to governmental oversight and accountability.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1015 appears to be supportive among the legislative body, with a unanimous voting outcome, indicated by the 35 yeas and 0 nays during its third reading. This strong bipartisan support reflects a consensus on the necessity of ensuring proper funding for state audits and accountability measures within the government. The approval of the bill signifies recognition of the vital role that audits play in maintaining fiscal responsibility and transparency.

Contention

While HB 1015 received broad support, the discussions leading to its approval may highlight underlying tensions regarding state budgeting and fiscal priorities. Critics may question the allocation of such significant funds amid ongoing debates about efficiency and the potential for cuts in other critical areas of the state budget. However, specific points of contention were not documented in the voting history, suggesting primary agreement on the need for legislative audits within the state.