Senate passes House Bill 1002, the General Appropriation Act for FY2025-26; emergency clause adopted

The Arkansas Senate approved House Bill 1002, the general appropriation act for the 2025–26 fiscal year, by a roll-call vote of 33–0 and adopted the bill's emergency clause.

Senator Dismaine, who presented the measure, told colleagues it is the package the joint budget committee voted on the previous day. “Members, this is what we vote on joint budget yesterday. General appropriation acts gonna allow for interim reimbursements for the house and senate,” he said.

The vote was taken by roll call after the secretary was asked to call the roll. The clerk recorded the vote and the presiding officer announced: “by a vote of 33 yay, 0 nay. House bill 1002 passes, and the corresponding emergency clause is adopted.” The roll call recorded several members as being on leave; the adopted tally reflects 33 affirmative votes.

Why it matters: HB1002 is the state’s principal spending bill for the coming fiscal year. Adoption of the emergency clause accelerates the bill’s effect if subsequent action requires an emergency enactment.

Details and next steps: The Senate president instructed that the bill be returned to the House. The measure was processed under the joint budget calendar; other budget bills and appropriation items were listed on the calendar during the session.

Votes at a glance House Bill 1002 (General Appropriation Act for FY2025–26) — Roll-call vote: 33 yes, 0 no; emergency clause adopted. Motion presented by Senator Dismaine; roll call recorded by the secretary. Names on the roll and the presence/leave notations were recorded in the clerk’s roll call.