JBC-PEER REVIEW approves temporary appropriations, ARPA workforce grants and $50,000 transfer

The JBC-PEER REVIEW approved a set of temporary appropriations and ARPA-funded workforce grants and authorized a $50,000 transfer to fund an earlier quartermaster appropriation, the committee said during a meeting where members recorded no opposition to the measures.

Committee members approved four temporary spending-authority requests and 13 ARPA workforce and nursing program appropriation requests, covering equipment and training for state public safety and law enforcement and capital and operating support for colleges expanding nursing and workforce programs. The committee also reviewed a ratification request and a new construction contract for the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) and received multiple contract and monthly reports.

The most immediate approvals were four temporary-appropriation items for public safety agencies. The Department of Public Safety, Division of State Police, received $300,000 in temporary appropriation authority to purchase evidence storage and key-inventory systems and to replace network equipment damaged by lightning; the packet lists general special revenue as the supporting source. The Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training received two separate requests for $60,000 each: one to support additional training and operational needs for the law enforcement training program (supported by special revenue) and another to provide additional training and ammunition needs (supported by general revenue). A $2,000 request was approved to provide professional development for the criminal detention facilities program (supported by the State Central Service fund).…