HB1147
An Act For The Secretary Of State Appropriation For The 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1147, makes an appropriation for personal services and operating expenses for the Secretary of State for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. It outlines specific maximum annual salary rates for various employee classifications within the Secretary of State's office, detailing positions from Chief Deputy to Custodian I. The bill also authorizes a maximum number of part-time or temporary employees, known as "Extra Help." It then provides a detailed breakdown of appropriations for different functions of the Secretary of State's office, including operations, Capitol Police, monument preservation, building restoration, administrative and maintenance expenses, fee and tax refunds, county voting system grants, the Arkansas Video Service Act, the National Statuary Hall Collection, Help America Vote Act expenditures, gift shop and cafe operations, business and commercial services electronic filing, and security for the State Capitol and grounds. A significant appropriation is also allocated for an HVAC upgrade to the North End of the State Capitol building. The bill includes special language regarding the transfer of appropriation funds within the "Operations" category and mandates the permanent operation of a gift shop on the first floor of the State Capitol Building. Finally, it specifies a fund transfer for security expenses and notes compliance with other laws.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
["The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the employees of the Arkansas Secretary of State's office, whose salaries and positions are detailed and funded for the upcoming fiscal year. Additionally, various state functions and services overseen by the Secretary of State will benefit from the allocated appropriations, including Capitol Police operations, election systems, monument preservation, building maintenance and restoration, and security of state facilities. The public may indirectly benefit from the continued operation of essential state services and the maintenance of state infrastructure. Businesses interacting with the Secretary of State for corporate filings and franchise taxes may benefit from the allocated funds for refunds and reimbursements. Furthermore, county governments may benefit from the grants for voting system upgrades."]
Who Might Suffer?
['The bill does not appear to have explicitly identified groups or entities that would be directly and negatively impacted. However, in the context of government appropriations, potential indirect negative impacts could arise if the allocated funds were deemed insufficient for certain critical functions, leading to potential service disruptions or deferrals. Also, any taxpayer whose funds contribute to the State Central Services Fund, General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund, or other specified funds from which these appropriations are drawn, could be considered indirectly impacted if they disagree with the allocation of public funds. Specific to the special language sections, businesses that might have otherwise utilized spaces on the first floor of the State Capitol Building could be negatively impacted by the permanent designation of a gift shop space. The requirement for a fund transfer for security expenses implies a reallocation of funds that might have been designated for other purposes from the General Revenue Allotment Reserve Fund.']