Arkansas House twice rejects bill to create matching appropriation for public-television network

The Arkansas House of Representatives rejected Senate Bill 77 — a stand-alone, unfunded appropriation intended to allow matching of private donations for a state television network — on two separate roll calls, with members sharply divided over the purpose and control of the money.

Representative Johnson, who explained the bill to the chamber, said the measure would create an appropriation that carried no general-revenue dollars unless donations were secured. “This is a separate stand alone bill. That’s not part of their appropriations… it is unfunded,” he said, adding any match would have to be found outside general revenue.

Opponents said the funding was unnecessary and risked subsidizing programming that had not been requested by the agency. Representative Wayne Long argued the department had not asked for the money and that taxpayers should not subsidize entertainment that “is available on streaming services.” Supporters pressed that the appropriation would benefit rural Arkansans who lack reliable streaming and terrestrial coverage. “If you live in Dodridge, Arkansas, you’re going to have a hard time streaming this,” Representative Dolby said, urging the House to bolster access for small towns and remote areas.

Members also pressed whether privately raised donations — and a possible state match — could be used for infrastructure such as transmission towers rather than exclusively to pay a programming contract. Representative Johnson confirmed that, with the language adopted, raised funds would be unencumbered and “could certainly be used for infrastructure” if the money were found and approved through the appropriate channels.

The House first recorded a tally of 70 yeas, 23 nays and 3 present and the presiding officer announced SB77 failed. The bill was brought back later the same day for another vote after some members’ voting machines were reported not to have recorded; the second recorded tally was 73 yeas and 24 nays, and the presiding officer again announced the bill failed.

The bill’s opponents characterized it as an unnecessary extra appropriation beyond the agency’s regularly negotiated budget, while supporters said the effort would signal state willingness to match private donations and test public support. Representative Meeks framed the proposal as a test of public support: “Put this out there… $500,000, not a large super large sum… If the people of Arkansas are gonna support this, they'll make those contributions.”

With SB77 defeated, the chamber moved on to other budget items during the fiscal session.