Arkansas – On Friday, April 18, 2025, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed several significant bills into law, covering a wide range of appropriations for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and updating public employee policies.
Among the legislation signed was SB241, which amends the Uniform Attendance and Leave Policy Act to allow public employees paid leave following the death of a family member or child. This bill aims to provide state workers with compassionate support during personal tragedies and aligns with broader efforts to enhance workplace benefits for public employees.
In addition to SB241, Governor Sanders signed multiple appropriations bills across various state departments and services. These include:
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SB32 through SB36, providing fiscal year appropriations for multiple divisions within the Department of Human Services, including Youth Services, Medical Services, Developmental Disabilities Services, Children and Family Services, and Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services.
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SB40, which allocates funds for the Bureau of Legislative Research and the Legislative Council.
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SB41, establishing the Office of the Governor’s budget for the fiscal year.
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SB51 and SB52, which appropriate funding for the Office of the Prosecutor Coordinator and the Auditor of State, respectively.
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SB55, funding the Arkansas Supreme Court.
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SB71, which appropriates funds for court personnel through the Administrative Office of the Courts.
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SB81, supporting the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, particularly its State Parks and Tourism divisions.
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SB106, providing financial support for the Department of Agriculture.
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SB124, which allocates funding for the University of Arkansas – Division of Agriculture.
These measures reflect the state’s budgetary priorities for the coming fiscal year, addressing key areas such as public health, agriculture, education, tourism, and judicial services. The signing of SB241 also highlights an ongoing commitment to improving the well-being and work-life balance of Arkansas’s public employees.