HB1393
An Act For The Institutions Of Higher Education Reappropriation.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to reappropriate existing capital improvement appropriations for various institutions of higher education in Arkansas. The reappropriations are intended to allow funds previously allocated for specific projects, such as construction, renovation, technology upgrades, and maintenance, to be used for those same purposes. These appropriations are effective starting July 1, 2025. The bill specifies amounts for each institution and the intended use of the funds, drawing from balances of appropriations made in prior legislative acts, primarily Act 80 of 2024 and Act 24 of 2024. The reappropriated funds are to be paid from the "Development and Enhancement Fund" or the "Arkansas Natural and Cultural Resources Grant and Trust Fund." The purpose is to ensure that funds designated for capital improvements and critical maintenance can continue to be utilized for their original objectives if not fully expended in the preceding fiscal year. This process allows for the continuation of planned projects and facility upkeep within the state's higher education system.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be the various institutions of higher education in Arkansas that are named within the text, including Arkansas Northeastern College, Arkansas State University - Beebe, Arkansas State University - Mid-South, Arkansas State University - Mountain Home, Arkansas State University - Newport, Arkansas State University Three Rivers, Black River Technical College, and Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas. These institutions would benefit from the continued availability of funds for their capital improvement projects, such as construction of new facilities, renovation of existing buildings, technology upgrades, and essential maintenance and repair work. The students, faculty, and staff of these institutions would also indirectly benefit from improved facilities and learning environments.
Who Might Suffer?
This bill is primarily focused on reappropriating funds for specific institutions and does not appear to directly negatively impact any specific groups or entities. The funds being reappropriated were already appropriated in previous legislative sessions for capital improvements. Therefore, the potential negative impact would likely stem from any indirect consequences of these appropriations, such as the reallocation of resources that might otherwise be directed to other state priorities, or potential changes in fiscal priorities for future legislative sessions. However, based solely on the provided text, there are no directly identifiable groups or entities that would be negatively impacted.