Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
Act 897 of the Regular Session
*WFP012* 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 81 3
4
By: Joint Budget Committee 5
6
For An Act To Be Entitled 7
AN ACT TO MAKE AN APPROPRIATION FOR PERSONAL SERVICES 8
AND OPERATING EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, 9
HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND TOURISM 10
DIVISIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JUNE 30, 2026; 11
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 12
13
14
Subtitle 15
AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF PARKS, 16
HERITAGE, AND TOURISM - STATE PARKS AND 17
TOURISM DIVISIONS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 18
2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. 19
20
21
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 22
23
SECTION 1. REGULAR SALARIES. There is hereby established for the 24
Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism 25
Divisions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the following maximum number of 26
regular employees. 27
28
Maximum Annual 29
Maximum Salary Rate 30
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 31
No. Code Title Employees 2025-2026 32
(1) U068U ADPHT PARKS DIVISION DIRECTOR 1 GRADE SE01 33
(2) U067U ADPHT TOURISM DIVISION DIRECTOR 1 GRADE SE01 34
(3) N223N ADPHT PARKS DIV DEPUTY DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS14 35
(4) S001C ADPHT PARKS OPERATIONS MGR 1 GRADE GS12 36 SB81
2 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(5) G037C ADPHT PARKS PLANNING & DEV MGR 1 GRADE GS12 1
(6) B015C ENGINEER SUPERVISOR 1 GRADE GS12 2
(7) B020C ADPHT REGIONAL PARK SUPERVISOR 5 GRADE GS11 3
(8) B023C ENGINEER, P.E. 1 GRADE GS11 4
(9) G076C ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES MANAGER 2 GRADE GS10 5
(10) A036C ADPHT REVENUE OPERATIONS MANAGER 1 GRADE GS10 6
(11) T116C EMERGENCY SERVICES MANAGER 1 GRADE GS10 7
(12) B027C PARK SUPERINTENDENT V 5 GRADE GS10 8
(13) G078C ADPHT PROGRAM SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE GS09 9
(14) C100C ADPHT RESEARCH PROJECT COORDINATOR 1 GRADE GS09 10
(15) B042C ENGINEER 1 GRADE GS09 11
(16) B021C LICENSED ARCHITECT 1 GRADE GS09 12
(17) G095C LODGE MANAGER 3 GRADE GS09 13
(18) B031C PARK SUPERINTENDENT IV 14 GRADE GS09 14
(19) T042C ADPHT CHIEF RANGER 1 GRADE GS08 15
(20) G105C ADPHT DEVELOPMENT MANAGER 2 GRADE GS08 16
(21) C101C ADPHT WELCOME CENTER ADMINISTRATOR 1 GRADE GS08 17
(22) B032C CHIEF PARK PLANNER 1 GRADE GS08 18
(23) P010C EXHIBITS COORDINATOR 1 GRADE GS08 19
(24) S003C FOOD & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR 2 GRADE GS08 20
(25) S004C MAINTENANCE MANAGER 3 GRADE GS08 21
(26) G079C OUTDOOR REC GRANTS PRGM DIR 1 GRADE GS08 22
(27) B048C PARK SUPERINTENDENT III 24 GRADE GS08 23
(28) G165C ADPHT SPECIALTY OPERATIONS MANAGER 3 GRADE GS07 24
(29) S015C ASST LODGE MANAGER 3 GRADE GS07 25
(30) P016C CURATOR 4 GRADE GS07 26
(31) S017C MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR 4 GRADE GS07 27
(32) P030C MUSEUM EXHIBIT PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2 GRADE GS07 28
(33) B075C PARK PLANNER 7 GRADE GS07 29
(34) B071C PARK SUPERINTENDENT II 30 GRADE GS07 30
(35) P020C PRODUCTION ARTIST 2 GRADE GS07 31
(36) P068C RADIO PRODUCER 1 GRADE GS07 32
(37) X077C REAL ESTATE OFFICER 1 GRADE GS07 33
(38) C003C STADIUM COMMISSION MARKETING/EVENT MGR 1 GRADE GS07 34
(39) P025C SUPERVISOR OF INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS 1 GRADE GS07 35
(40) C037C ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST 2 GRADE GS06 36 SB81
3 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(41) P034C ADPHT CONSULTANT 2 GRADE GS06 1
(42) P041C COMMERCIAL GRAPHIC ARTIST 1 GRADE GS06 2
(43) A074C FISCAL SUPPORT SUPERVISOR 1 GRADE GS06 3
(44) P049C GRAPHIC ARTIST 1 GRADE GS06 4
(45) P040C HISTORICAL RESEARCHER 1 GRADE GS06 5
(46) G206C LODGE SALES DIRECTOR 6 GRADE GS06 6
(47) S033C MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR 9 GRADE GS06 7
(48) P028C PARK INTERPRETER II 13 GRADE GS06 8
(49) G205C PARK PROGRAM SPECIALIST 4 GRADE GS06 9
(50) T056C PARK RANGER II 20 GRADE GS06 10
(51) B085C PARK SUPERINTENDENT I 12 GRADE GS06 11
(52) B076C RESEARCH PROJECT ANALYST 2 GRADE GS06 12
(53) S014C RESTAURANT MANAGER 5 GRADE GS06 13
(54) S022C SKILLED TRADES SUPERVISOR 7 GRADE GS06 14
(55) C036C ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW ANALYST 1 GRADE GS05 15
(56) C096C ADPHT OFFICE MANAGER III 7 GRADE GS05 16
(57) C027C ADPHT WELCOME CENTER MANAGER II 7 GRADE GS05 17
(58) S048C ASST RESTAURANT MANAGER 5 GRADE GS05 18
(59) X129C CONSTRUCTION INSPECTOR 3 GRADE GS05 19
(60) B090C ENGINEER TECHNICIAN 1 GRADE GS05 20
(61) A091C FISCAL SUPPORT ANALYST 1 GRADE GS05 21
(62) C047C FRONT DESK SUPERVISOR 3 GRADE GS05 22
(63) S049C LODGE HOUSEKEEPING SUPERVISOR 4 GRADE GS05 23
(64) P035C PARK INTERPRETER 29 GRADE GS05 24
(65) T063C PARK RANGER 5 GRADE GS05 25
(66) S031C SKILLED TRADESMAN 19 GRADE GS05 26
(67) C008C STADIUM COMMISSION OFFICE MANAGER 1 GRADE GS05 27
(68) C056C ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST III 9 GRADE GS04 28
(69) S104C ADPHT HOUSEKEEPER SUPERVISOR 11 GRADE GS04 29
(70) C039C ADPHT OFFICE MANAGER II 41 GRADE GS04 30
(71) C091C ADPHT WELCOME CENTER MANAGER I 7 GRADE GS04 31
(72) T079C FACILITY MANAGER II 17 GRADE GS04 32
(73) A098C FISCAL SUPPORT SPECIALIST 1 GRADE GS04 33
(74) A102C FISCAL SUPPORT TECHNICIAN 8 GRADE GS04 34
(75) S044C FOOD PREPARATION MANAGER 1 GRADE GS04 35
(76) S052C HEAVY EQUIPMENT SPECIALIST 3 GRADE GS04 36 SB81
4 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(77) R036C HUMAN RESOURCES SPECIALIST 3 GRADE GS04 1
(78) S047C LANDSCAPE SUPERVISOR 2 GRADE GS04 2
(79) S046C MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN 57 GRADE GS04 3
(80) C043C RECORDS MANAGEMENT ANALYST 1 GRADE GS04 4
(81) C073C ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II 13 GRADE GS03 5
(82) S103C ADPHT HOUSEKEEPER 15 GRADE GS03 6
(83) C067C ADPHT WELCOME CENTER ASSISTANT MANAGER 13 GRADE GS03 7
(84) P054C ASST LODGE SALES DIRECTOR 3 GRADE GS03 8
(85) S058C EQUIPMENT MECHANIC 1 GRADE GS03 9
(86) T085C FACILITY MANAGER I 27 GRADE GS03 10
(87) S056C FOOD PREPARATION SUPERVISOR 1 GRADE GS03 11
(88) S057C LANDSCAPE SPECIALIST 5 GRADE GS03 12
(89) S059C LODGE COOK 18 GRADE GS03 13
(90) S050C MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST 52 GRADE GS03 14
(91) P056C MUSEUM PROGRAM ASSISTANT II 2 GRADE GS03 15
(92) S054C PRINTER 1 GRADE GS03 16
(93) C068C RETAIL SPECIALIST 5 GRADE GS03 17
(94) T087C SECURITY OFFICER 1 GRADE GS03 18
(95) C086C DESK CLERK 25 GRADE GS02 19
(96) S068C FOOD PREPARATION COORDINATOR 2 GRADE GS02 20
(97) S085C FOOD PREPARATION SPECIALIST 1 GRADE GS02 21
(98) S066C LANDSCAPE TECHNICIAN 5 GRADE GS02 22
(99) P064C MUSEUM PROGRAM ASSISTANT I 4 GRADE GS02 23
(100) P055C SPECIAL EVENTS SUPERVISOR 1 GRADE GS02 24
(101) P061C TRAVEL CONSULTANT 19 GRADE GS02 25
(102) S089C FOOD PREPARATION TECHNICIAN 1 GRADE GS01 26
(103) S065C MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT 29 GRADE GS01 27
(104) S090C WAITRESS/WAITER 12 GRADE GS01 28
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 726 29
30
SECTION 2. EXTRA HELP. There is hereby authorized, for the Department 31
of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions for the 32
2025-2026 fiscal year, the following maximum number of part -time or temporary 33
employees, to be known as "Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated 34
herein for such purposes: eight hundred seven (807) temporary or part-time 35
employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to exceed those provided in the 36 SB81
5 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or its successor, or this act 1
for the appropriate classification. 2
3
SECTION 3. APPROPRIATION - STATE OPERATIONS. There is hereby 4
appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to be 5
payable from the Parks and Tourism Fund Account , for personal services and 6
operating expenses of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State 7
Parks and Tourism Divisions - State Operations for the fiscal year ending 8
June 30, 2026, the following: 9
10
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 11
NO. 2025-2026 12
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $12,569,422 13
(02) EXTRA HELP 2,500 14
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 5,483,877 15
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 16
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 0 17
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 18
(C) PROF. FEES 0 19
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 20
(E) DATA PROC. 0 21
(05) TOURISM/MUSEUM GRANTS 30,000 22
(06) CONFERENCE-DAC 100 23
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $18,085,899 24
25
SECTION 4. APPROPRIATION - RETIREMENT AND RELOCATION PROMOTION PROGRAM . 26
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and 27
Tourism, to be payable from the Tourism Development Trust Fund , for operating 28
and advertising expenses of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - 29
State Parks and Tourism Divisions - Retirement and Relocation Promotion 30
Program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following: 31
32
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 33
NO. 2025-2026 34
(01) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 35
(A) OPER. EXPENSE $60,000 36 SB81
6 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 1
(C) PROF. FEES 10,000 2
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 3
(E) DATA PROC. 0 4
(02) ADVERTISING EXPENSE 898,619 5
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $968,619 6
7
SECTION 5. APPROPRIATION - CONSERVATION TAX OPERATIONS . There is 8
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to be 9
payable from the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism Fund Account , 10
from proceeds derived from the Conservation Tax levied by Amendment 75 of the 11
Constitution of the State of Arkansas, for personal services and operating 12
expenses of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and 13
Tourism Divisions - Conservation Tax Operations for the fiscal year ending 14
June 30, 2026, the following: 15
16
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 17
NO. 2025-2026 18
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $7,699,677 19
(02) EXTRA HELP 2,134,077 20
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 3,357,472 21
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 22
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 16,394,284 23
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 24
(C) PROF. FEES 613,894 25
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 3,500,000 26
(E) DATA PROC. 0 27
(05) CONSTRUCTION 45,874,272 28
(06) SPECIAL MAINTENANCE 4,000,000 29
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $83,573,676 30
31
SECTION 6. REGULAR SALARIES - KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL - CONSERVATION 32
TAX OPERATIONS. There is hereby established for the Department of Parks, 33
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - Keep Arkansas 34
Beautiful - Conservation Tax Operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the 35
following maximum number of regular employees. 36 SB81
7 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
1
Maximum Annual 2
Maximum Salary Rate 3
Item Class No. of Fiscal Year 4
No. Code Title Employees 2025-2026 5
(1) G167C KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL DIRECTOR 1 GRADE GS09 6
(2) G176C VOLUNTEER PROGRAM MANAGER 1 GRADE GS07 7
(3) S050C MAINTENANCE SPECIALIST 1 GRADE GS03 8
MAX. NO. OF EMPLOYEES 3 9
10
SECTION 7. EXTRA HELP - KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL - CONSERVATION TAX 11
OPERATIONS. There is hereby authorized, for the Department of Parks, 12
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - Keep Arkansas 13
Beautiful - Conservation Tax Operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the 14
following maximum number of part -time or temporary employees, to be known as 15
"Extra Help", payable from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: one 16
(1) temporary or part-time employee, when needed, at rates of pay not to 17
exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or 18
its successor, or this act for the appropriate classification. 19
20
SECTION 8. APPROPRIATION - KEEP ARKANSAS BEAUTIFUL - CONSERVATION TAX 21
OPERATIONS. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, 22
Heritage, and Tourism , to be payable from the Keep Arkansas Beautiful Fund 23
Account, from proceeds derived from the Conservation Tax levied by Amendment 24
75 of the Constitution of the State of Arkansas, for personal services and 25
operating expenses of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State 26
Parks and Tourism Divisions - Keep Arkansas Beautiful - Conservation Tax 27
Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following: 28
29
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 30
NO. 2025-2026 31
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $138,924 32
(02) EXTRA HELP 6,000 33
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 55,401 34
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 35
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 88,937 36 SB81
8 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 5,000 1
(C) PROF. FEES 125,000 2
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 3
(E) DATA PROC. 0 4
(05) KAB GRANTS 40,000 5
(06) ADVERTISING EXPENSE 600,000 6
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $1,059,262 7
8
SECTION 9. APPROPRIATION - MUSEUM OF NATURAL RESOURCES - SPECIAL 9
REVENUE FUND OPERATIONS . There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of 10
Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to be payable from the Arkansas Museum of 11
Natural Resources Fund , for personal services of the Department of Parks, 12
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - Museum of Natural 13
Resources - Special Revenue Fund Operations for the fiscal year ending June 14
30, 2026, the following: 15
16
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 17
NO. 2025-2026 18
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $76,932 19
(02) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 33,736 20
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $110,668 21
22
SECTION 10. APPROPRIATION - TOURISM PROMOTION - SPECIAL REVENUE FUND 23
OPERATIONS. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, 24
Heritage, and Tourism , to be payable from the Tourism Development Trust Fund , 25
for personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Parks, 26
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - Tourism Promotion 27
- Special Revenue Fund Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, 28
the following: 29
30
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 31
NO. 2025-2026 32
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $283,677 33
(02) EXTRA HELP 27,502 34
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 123,625 35
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 36 SB81
9 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 3,222,977 1
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 41,570 2
(C) PROF. FEES 2,246,280 3
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 125,000 4
(E) DATA PROC. 0 5
(05) TOURIST PROMOTION 2,922,000 6
(06) ADVERTISING EXPENSE 24,260,050 7
(07) SMALL FESTIVAL EXPENSES, ADVERTISING 8
& GRANTS 150,000 9
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $33,402,681 10
11
SECTION 11. APPROPRIATION - OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS PROGRAM . There 12
is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to 13
be payable from the Parks and Tourism Outdoor Recreation Grants Fund , for 14
personal services, operating expenses, and outdoor recreation grants of the 15
Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism 16
Divisions - Outdoor Recreation Grants Program for the fiscal year ending June 17
30, 2026, the following: 18
19
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 20
NO. 2025-2026 21
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $166,707 22
(02) EXTRA HELP 25,210 23
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 72,789 24
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 25
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 37,020 26
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 5,000 27
(C) PROF. FEES 0 28
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 29
(E) DATA PROC. 0 30
(05) OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS 9,716,374 31
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $10,023,100 32
33
SECTION 12. APPROPRIATION - SCORP PROGRAM - FEDERAL FUND OPERATIONS . 34
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and 35
Tourism, to be payable from the federal funds as designated by the Chief 36 SB81
10 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
Fiscal Officer of the State , for operating expenses and outdoor recreation 1
grants of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and 2
Tourism Divisions - Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for the 3
fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the following: 4
5
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 6
NO. 2025-2026 7
(01) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 8
(A) OPER. EXPENSE $34,232 9
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 6,100 10
(C) PROF. FEES 100,000 11
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 12
(E) DATA PROC. 0 13
(02) OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS 8,308,402 14
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $8,448,734 15
16
SECTION 13. APPROPRIATION - PARKS - CASH FUND OPERATIONS . There is 17
hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to be 18
payable from the cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as determined by 19
the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State , for personal services and operating 20
expenses of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and 21
Tourism Divisions - Parks - Cash Fund Operations for the fiscal year ending 22
June 30, 2026, the following: 23
24
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 25
NO. 2025-2026 26
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $9,762,112 27
(02) EXTRA HELP 6,565,923 28
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 4,518,730 29
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 30
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 11,566,526 31
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 34,000 32
(C) PROF. FEES 2,000,000 33
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 500,000 34
(E) DATA PROC. 0 35
(05) CONSTRUCTION 500,000 36 SB81
11 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
(06) RESALE (COGS) 5,564,961 1
(07) DEBT SERVICE 0 2
(08) CONTRACTUAL SERVICES 486,177 3
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $41,498,429 4
5
SECTION 14. APPROPRIATION - WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM . There is hereby 6
appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism , to be 7
payable from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund Account , for personal services, 8
operating expenses, major maintenance, renovation of facilities and 9
scoreboards, and repairs of War Memorial Stadium of the Department of Parks, 10
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions for the fiscal year 11
ending June 30, 2026, the following: 12
13
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 14
NO. 2025-2026 15
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $304,119 16
(02) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 118,893 17
(03) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 18
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 12,198 19
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 20
(C) PROF. FEES 0 21
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 22
(E) DATA PROC. 0 23
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $435,210 24
25
SECTION 15. EXTRA HELP - WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM - CASH FUND OPERATIONS. 26
There is hereby authorized, for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and 27
Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - War Memorial Stadium - Cash 28
Fund Operations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the following maximum number 29
of part-time or temporary employees, to be known as "Extra Help", payable 30
from funds appropriated herein for such purposes: one hundred forty-four 31
(144) temporary or part-time employees, when needed, at rates of pay not to 32
exceed those provided in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, or 33
its successor, or this act for the appropriate classification. 34
35
SECTION 16. APPROPRIATION - WAR MEMORIAL STADIUM - CASH FUND 36 SB81
12 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
OPERATIONS. There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, 1
Heritage, and Tourism , to be payable from the cash fund deposited in the 2
State Treasury as determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State , for 3
personal services and operating expenses of the Department of Parks, 4
Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions - War Memorial 5
Stadium - Cash Fund Operations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the 6
following: 7
8
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 9
NO. 2025-2026 10
(01) REGULAR SALARIES $82,348 11
(02) EXTRA HELP 144,000 12
(03) PERSONAL SERVICES MATCHING 47,715 13
(04) MAINT. & GEN. OPERATION 14
(A) OPER. EXPENSE 921,088 15
(B) CONF. & TRAVEL 0 16
(C) PROF. FEES 0 17
(D) CAP. OUTLAY 0 18
(E) DATA PROC. 0 19
(05) RESALE (COGS) 213,000 20
(06) REFUNDS/REIMBURSEMENTS 100,000 21
TOTAL AMOUNT APPROPRIATED $1,508,151 22
23
SECTION 17. APPROPRIATION - DELTA HERITAGE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM . 24
There is hereby appropriated, to the Department of Parks, Heritage, and 25
Tourism, to be payable from the cash fund deposited in the State Treasury as 26
determined by the Chief Fiscal Officer of the State , for operating expenses 27
of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism 28
Divisions - Delta Heritage Trail Construction Program for the fiscal year 29
ending June 30, 2026, the following: 30
31
ITEM FISCAL YEAR 32
NO. 2025-2026 33
(01) CONSTRUCTION $37,880,862 34
35
SECTION 18. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 36 SB81
13 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. SPECIAL 1
MAINTENANCE. The funds appropriated in the Conservation Tax Operations 2
appropriation section of this act for the Division of Arkansas State Parks 3
Special Maintenance shall be expended, after receiving prior approval by the 4
Arkansas Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee, for a special 5
maintenance program for the Park System. The funds provided will be used for 6
repair and upkeep of parks and museum facilities that have been deferred due 7
to lack of funds in the individual budgets of the parks and museums. 8
Determining the maximum number of employees and the maximum amount of 9
appropriation and general revenue funding for a state agency each fiscal year 10
is the prerogative of the General Assembly. This is usually accomplished by 11
delineating such maximums in the appropriation act(s) for a state agency and 12
the general revenue allocations authorized for each fund and fund account by 13
amendment to the Revenue Stabilization law. Further, the General Assembly 14
has determined that the Division of Arkansas State Parks may operate more 15
efficiently if some flexibility is provided to the Department of Parks, 16
Heritage, and Tourism authorizing broad powers under this section. Therefore, 17
it is both necessary and appropriate that the General Assembly maintain 18
oversight by requiring prior approval of the Legislative Council or Joint 19
Budget Committee as provided by this section. The requirement of approval by 20
the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is not a severable part of 21
this section or the Special Maintenance line item. If the requirement of 22
approval by the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee is ruled 23
unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this entire section 24
and the Special Maintenance line item in the Conservation Tax Operations 25
appropriation section is void. 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 19. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 30
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. CASH 31
PRIZES - STATE PARKS. The Division of Arkansas State Parks is hereby 32
authorized to award merchandise, gift certificates , and cash prizes to 33
contestants in various special events authorized by the Division Director of 34
the Division of Arkansas State Parks. Such prizes may be awarded to the 1st, 35
2nd, and 3rd prize winners and shall be payable from the maintenance and 36 SB81
14 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
operation line item of the Parks - Cash Fund Operations appropriation 1
section. The cash prizes, in aggregate, for all contests, shall not exceed 2
$10,000 per fiscal year. 3
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024 4
2025 through June 30, 2025 2026. 5
6
SECTION 20. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 7
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. 8
MISSISSIPPI RIVER DOMESTIC - INTERNATIONAL MARKETING PLAN. Of the funds 9
appropriated to the Division of Arkansas Tourism - Great River Road for 10
operating expenses in the State Operations appropriation section of this act, 11
up to $15,000 each year is authorized to be utilized for the implementation 12
of the Mississippi River Domestic - International Marketing Plan. 13
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024 14
2025 through June 30, 2025 2026. 15
16
SECTION 21. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 17
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. SMALL 18
FESTIVAL FUNDING. The General Assembly acknowledges the economic benefits of 19
festivals which attract visitors and stimulate the growth of tourism and 20
businesses statewide. 21
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or rules and regulations 22
promulgated by the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism to the 23
contrary, the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism shall dedicate, 24
commit, and budget annually one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) 25
from the 2% tourism tax credited to the Tourism Development Trust Fund for 26
expense, advertising, marketing , or grants for small festivals in Arkansas 27
communities of less than 10,500 people. Any funds not granted out in a 28
fiscal year shall be available for other tourism promotion efforts. 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 22. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 33
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. EXTRA 34
HELP. The Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism may utilize their 35
authorized extra-help positions and contract labor event staff up to a 36 SB81
15 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
maximum of one thousand eight hundred (1,800) hours during seasonal events at 1
War Memorial Stadium. The rates of pay may not exceed those provided in the 2
Uniform Classification Act, or its successor, for the appropriate 3
classification. 4
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2024 5
2025 through June 30, 2025 2026. 6
7
SECTION 23. SPECIAL LANGUAGE. NOT TO BE INCORPORATED INTO THE ARKANSAS 8
CODE NOR PUBLISHED SEPARATELY AS SPECIAL, LOCAL AND TEMPORARY LAW. 9
PROMOTIONAL AND EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS. The Division of Arkansas State Parks 10
and Tourism is hereby authorized to purchase from Maintenance and General 11
Operations appropriations provided by this Act, up to an amount not to exceed 12
$75,000 each fiscal year, promotional and educational merchandise, authorized 13
by the Secretary of the Department of Arkansas Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, 14
to inform the public of the Division's programs, to promote the functions of 15
the Division, and to inform the public regarding services provided by the 16
Division. 17
The provisions of this section shall be in effect only from July 1, 2025, 18
through June 30, 2026. 19
20
SECTION 24. COMPLIANCE WITH OTHER LAWS. Disbursement of funds 21
authorized by this act shall be limited to the appropriation for such agency 22
and funds made available by law for the support of such appropriations; and 23
the restrictions of the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and 24
Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, the Regular Salary 25
Procedures and Restrictions Act, or their successors, and other fiscal 26
control laws of this State, where applicable, and regulations promulgated by 27
the Department of Finance and Administration, as authorized by law, shall be 28
strictly complied with in disbursement of said funds. 29
30
SECTION 25. LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the General 31
Assembly that any funds disbursed under the authority of the appropriations 32
contained in this act shall be in compliance with the stated reasons for 33
which this act was adopted, as evidenced by the Agency Requests, Executive 34
Recommendations and Legislative Recommendations contained in the budget 35
manuals prepared by the Department of Finance and Administration, letters, or 36 SB81
16 01/17/2025 3:35:03 PM WFP012
summarized oral testimony in the official minutes of the Arkansas Legislative 1
Council or Joint Budget Committee which relate to its passage and adoption. 2
3
SECTION 26. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. It is found and determined by the 4
General Assembly, that the Constitution of the State of Arkansas prohibits 5
the appropriation of funds for more than a one (1) year period; that the 6
effectiveness of this Act on July 1, 2025 is essential to the operation of 7
the agency for which the appropriations in this Act are provided, and that in 8
the event of an extension of the legislative session, the delay in the 9
effective date of this Act beyond July 1, 2025 could work irreparable harm 10
upon the proper administration and provision of essential governmental 11
programs. Therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist and this Act 12
being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health 13
and safety shall be in full force and effect from and after July 1, 2025. 14
15
16
APPROVED: 4/18/25 17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36