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HB1126

An Act For The Department Of Education - Office Of Early Childhood Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.

Passed

AI-Generated Summary

This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. It establishes a maximum number of regular employees and authorizes "extra help" positions. The act details specific appropriations for personal services, operating expenses, and grants. These include significant federal funding for early childhood expenses, as well as funds from state accounts for child care programs, loan guarantees, commodity distribution, and childcare facility grants. The total amount appropriated across all sections exceeds $315 million. The bill also outlines compliance requirements with existing fiscal control laws and declares an emergency for immediate effectiveness.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the Department of Education's Office of Early Childhood, as it directly receives appropriations for its operations and programs. Indirectly, individuals and entities involved in early childhood care and education would benefit through the "Grants and Aid" and "Child Care Program Grants and Expenses" allocations. This could include childcare providers, families seeking childcare services, and potentially individuals or organizations involved in loan guarantees related to early childhood facilities. The allocation of federal funds also suggests a broad benefit to early childhood initiatives supported by federal programs.

Who Might Suffer?

There are no direct negative impacts on specific groups or entities explicitly identified within this bill. As an appropriations bill, its primary function is to allocate funds, not to impose penalties or restrictions on particular individuals or organizations. Potential indirect negative impacts could arise if the appropriations are insufficient for the intended purposes or if the administration of these funds leads to unforeseen challenges or bureaucratic hurdles for those seeking to access them. However, the text of the bill itself does not outline any specific provisions that would cause direct negative consequences.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us