HB1397
An Act For The Department Of Public Safety Reappropriation.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1397, is an act to reappropriate balances of capital improvement appropriations for the Department of Public Safety. Specifically, it reappropriates funds for the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Facility Project. The reappropriated amount is $207,318,105, payable from the Development and Enhancement Fund. The reappropriation is effective July 1, 2025. The bill specifies disbursement controls, stating that no contract can exceed available State Treasury funds. It also allows institutions to accept grants, donations, and federal funds to supplement state funding. Maintenance and general operations funds are explicitly excluded from being used for these capital improvement projects. The bill emphasizes that funds disbursed must comply with the stated reasons for its adoption, as documented in budget materials and legislative minutes. An emergency clause is included, declaring the Act necessary for the immediate preservation of public peace, health, and safety, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill are the Department of Public Safety and specifically the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory. The reappropriation of funds will allow for the continued financing and potential completion of the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory Facility Project. This could lead to improved infrastructure and operational capabilities for the crime lab, potentially benefiting law enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system through enhanced forensic services.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill does not appear to directly or negatively impact any specific groups or entities in a detrimental way. Its purpose is to reappropriate existing appropriations for a specific capital improvement project. The bill does, however, stipulate that maintenance and general operations funds of the agency shall not be used for these capital projects, which could mean those operational budgets remain separate and are not diverted to this specific improvement.