An Act For The Department Of Human Services - Division Of Developmental Disabilities Services - Jonesboro Human Development Center Appropriation For The 2026-2027 Fiscal Year.
Introduced on 4/9/26
Overview
This appropriation bill authorizes a substantial capital investment in the Jonesboro Human Development Center, a facility operated by the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services within the Arkansas Department of Human Services. The legislation represents the second phase of a comprehensive master plan to modernize and expand facilities serving individuals with developmental disabilities. The bill seeks to provide twenty million dollars for planning, demolition, construction, replacement, renovation, upgrade, and addition of facilities at the center. The legislation includes an emergency clause to ensure immediate implementation at the start of the fiscal year, reflecting the urgency of addressing infrastructure needs for this vulnerable population. The appropriation demonstrates the state's commitment to maintaining and improving residential and service facilities for citizens with developmental disabilities through a phased, multi-year capital improvement strategy.
Core Provisions
The bill's central provision is the appropriation of twenty million dollars to the Department of Human Services specifically designated for the Jonesboro Human Development Center Phase 2 project as detailed in Section 1. This appropriation is explicitly tied to the continued implementation of the center's master plan and encompasses a broad range of capital activities including planning, demolition, construction, replacement, renovation, upgrade, and addition of facilities. The funding is designated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, establishing a clear temporal boundary for the appropriation's availability. Section 5 contains an emergency clause declaring that the Act is immediately necessary for the preservation of public peace, health, and safety, and specifically states that irreparable harm would result if the effective date were delayed beyond July 1, 2026. This emergency declaration allows the Act to become effective on July 1, 2026, rather than following the standard ninety-day waiting period typically required for Arkansas legislation. The appropriation is structured as a one-time capital allocation rather than an ongoing operational funding stream.
Key Points
- Appropriation of $20,000,000 for Jonesboro Human Development Center Phase 2
- Funds designated for planning, demolition, construction, replacement, renovation, upgrade, and addition of facilities
- Appropriation covers fiscal year ending June 30, 2027
- Emergency clause establishes effective date of July 1, 2026
- Funding supports continued implementation of the center's master plan
Implementation
The Department of Human Services, through its Division of Developmental Disabilities Services, bears primary responsibility for implementing this appropriation and executing the Phase 2 capital improvements at the Jonesboro Human Development Center. The Chief Fiscal Officer of the State holds authority to determine the specific cash fund from which the appropriation will be disbursed, with the funds deposited in the State Treasury as specified in Section 1. Section 3 establishes comprehensive compliance requirements, mandating that all disbursements conform to the State Procurement Law, the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, the Revenue Stabilization Law, and the Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act. These statutory frameworks ensure that expenditures follow established competitive bidding processes, accounting standards, and fiscal controls. The bill references oversight mechanisms through the Arkansas Legislative Council and Joint Budget Committee, though it does not establish specific reporting requirements beyond those already mandated by existing fiscal control laws. The appropriation structure allows flexibility in project execution while maintaining accountability through established state financial management systems.
Key Points
- Department of Human Services serves as implementing agency
- Division of Developmental Disabilities Services provides operational oversight
- Chief Fiscal Officer determines specific cash fund source from State Treasury
- All disbursements must comply with State Procurement Law
- Expenditures subject to General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law
- Revenue Stabilization Law and Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act apply
Legal References
- State Procurement Law
- General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law
- Revenue Stabilization Law
- Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act
Impact
The primary beneficiaries of this appropriation are individuals with developmental disabilities who receive residential care and services at the Jonesboro Human Development Center, along with the staff who provide those services. The twenty million dollar investment will directly improve the physical infrastructure and service delivery capacity of the facility, potentially enhancing safety, accessibility, and quality of care. The appropriation represents a significant capital commitment that will generate economic activity through construction and renovation projects, creating temporary employment opportunities in the Jonesboro area. Administrative burden on the Department of Human Services will include project management, contractor oversight, procurement compliance, and financial reporting responsibilities associated with capital construction projects of this magnitude. The expected outcomes include modernized facilities that meet current building codes and accessibility standards, improved living conditions for residents, enhanced operational efficiency, and extended facility lifespan. The bill does not contain sunset provisions, as it represents a one-time appropriation for a specific fiscal year rather than an ongoing program. The investment aligns with broader state objectives to maintain adequate infrastructure for serving vulnerable populations and fulfilling the state's obligations under federal disability rights laws.
Key Points
- Direct beneficiaries: individuals with developmental disabilities receiving services at Jonesboro Human Development Center
- Total appropriation: $20,000,000 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2027
- Economic impact through construction and renovation activities in Jonesboro area
- Administrative burden includes project management, procurement compliance, and contractor oversight
- Expected outcomes: modernized facilities, improved resident living conditions, enhanced operational efficiency
- No sunset provisions; one-time capital appropriation
Legal Framework
The bill derives its constitutional authority from the Arkansas Constitution's provisions governing appropriations and the General Assembly's power of the purse. The emergency clause invokes constitutional provisions allowing immediate effectiveness when the General Assembly determines that public peace, health, or safety requires expedited implementation. The appropriation operates within the framework of Arkansas's Revenue Stabilization Law, which establishes priorities for state spending and ensures fiscal stability. The bill explicitly incorporates multiple statutory frameworks that govern its implementation, including the State Procurement Law, which mandates competitive bidding and transparency in government contracting; the General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, which establishes accounting standards and financial controls; and the Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act, which governs personnel expenditures. These statutory references create enforceable legal obligations on the implementing agencies and provide mechanisms for oversight and accountability. The appropriation does not preempt local law, as it operates entirely within state government operations. Judicial review would be available through standard administrative law channels for procurement disputes or allegations of statutory non-compliance, though the appropriation itself represents a legislative policy decision generally immune from judicial second-guessing absent constitutional violations.
Legal References
- Constitution of the State of Arkansas
- State Procurement Law
- General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law
- Revenue Stabilization Law
- Regular Salary Procedures and Restrictions Act
Critical Issues
The emergency clause represents the most constitutionally sensitive aspect of the bill, as it circumvents the standard ninety-day waiting period for legislation to take effect. While the bill asserts that irreparable harm would result from delay, this determination is subject to the General Assembly's discretion and could face scrutiny if challenged, though such challenges rarely succeed given judicial deference to legislative emergency declarations. Implementation challenges include the compressed timeline between the July 1, 2026 effective date and the June 30, 2027 fiscal year end, which provides only twelve months to plan, procure, and execute potentially complex construction and renovation projects. This tight timeframe may necessitate expedited procurement processes and could increase costs or limit competitive bidding opportunities. The twenty million dollar cost represents a substantial state investment that must compete with other budgetary priorities, and the bill does not specify the revenue source beyond referencing the Chief Fiscal Officer's determination, creating potential uncertainty about impacts on other programs. Unintended consequences could include project delays if procurement or construction encounters obstacles, cost overruns requiring supplemental appropriations, or displacement of residents during construction phases. The bill's silence on specific project details or performance metrics limits legislative oversight and accountability mechanisms. Opposition arguments might focus on the appropriateness of the emergency designation, the adequacy of the funding amount, the lack of detailed project specifications, or competing priorities for state capital investments.
Key Points
- Emergency clause circumvents standard ninety-day waiting period, potentially subject to constitutional scrutiny
- Twelve-month implementation window creates compressed timeline for complex capital projects
- Expedited procurement may limit competitive bidding opportunities or increase costs
- Revenue source determination delegated to Chief Fiscal Officer creates budgetary uncertainty
- Potential for cost overruns requiring supplemental appropriations
- Lack of specific project details limits legislative oversight mechanisms
- Possible resident displacement during construction phases not addressed
Sponsors
Calendar
Apr 14
8:30 AM
Apr 14
9:00 AM
Apr 15
8:30 AM