Arkansas Senate adopts FY2027 appropriation and approves dozens of budget bills in unanimous votes

LITTLE ROCK — The Arkansas Senate on April 22 moved swiftly through its business calendar, passing the chamber’s FY2027 appropriation and a large batch of budget and reappropriation measures by unanimous recorded votes.

Senate Bill 1, the Senate’s appropriation act for the 2026–27 fiscal year, was presented by Senator Hammer, who said the bill had committee support and invited questions. With no members seeking debate, the Senate rolled the vote and the secretary reported a recorded tally of 34 yea, 0 nay; the corresponding emergency clause was adopted and the bill was transmitted to the House.

Why it matters: SB1 sets the chamber’s topline appropriations priorities for the next fiscal year and was carried with broad, unanimous support on the floor. The Senate also processed dozens of related budget measures in batches, approving agency and university appropriations and reappropriations that fund state operations.

The chamber adopted two floor amendments earlier in the morning. The Senate voted to adopt Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3 by voice and sent the amended bill to engrossing; it likewise adopted Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 10.

House Bill 1060, the joint-budget appropriation for the Department of Education and the Arkansas State Library, also passed on a recorded vote of 34–0 with its emergency clause adopted and was returned to the House.

The Senate approved two batches of Senate budget bills without pull requests. Batch 1 (Senate Bills 2, 14, 19, 22, 26, 32 and 42) — covering appropriations for agencies and institutions including the Department of Finance and Administration, Game and Fish Commission, the Inspector General, Human Services divisions, and several universities and courts — passed by a collective recorded vote of 34–0. Batch 2 (Senate Bills 52, 53, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 74), composed largely of reappropriations and supplemental payments, also passed 34–0.

What happened on the floor: Senators received a calendar overview from the Senate’s budget lead and were given the opportunity to pull bills for separate consideration; none were pulled. Votes were taken by roll as requested and recorded by the secretary.

Next steps: Bills passed by the Senate will be transmitted to the House or returned where indicated. Several items were placed on special language and members were asked to remain after adjournment for committee business.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 1 — passed 34–0; Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 3 — adopted (voice); Amendment 1 to Senate Bill 10 — adopted (voice); House Bill 1060 — passed 34–0; Batch 1 bills (SBs 2,14,19,22,26,32,42) — passed 34–0; Batch 2 bills (SBs 52,53,60,61,62,64,65,66,68,69,70,71,72,74) — passed 34–0.

Sources: Floor proceedings, April 22, 2026, Arkansas State Senate. The secretary recorded the roll and vote tallies; on-the-record motions and adoptions were read into the record and are reflected above.

The Senate adjourned subject to clearing the desk and scheduled a reconvening at 11 a.m. the following day.