Arkansas House of Representatives

 

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• HB1007
  Mar 10th  - Approved by the Governor
• HCR1005
  Mar 4th  - Sine Die Adjournment.
• HCR1001
  Mar 4th  - Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment.
• HR1003
  Mar 4th  - Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment.
• HB1170
  Mar 4th  - Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment.

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Homepage > News > General Assembly Wraps Up Fiscal Session

After 18 days, the state's first-ever fiscal session has come to a close. The House adjourned Thursday morning, wrapping up five days ahead of schedule. The House and Senate went into recess, passing a sine die resolution, which sets final adjournment for March 4. This gives the legislature a few days to come back in case any unexpected business should arise. The legislature set a strong precedent in its first fiscal session of being not only efficient, but effective. Members had monumental tasks to tackle, from setting the state's nearly $4.5 billion budget during uncertain economic times, to establishing lottery scholarship awards and standards, so the money quickly gets to Arkansas students. The Joint Budget Committee reviewed and the House passed hundreds of appropriation bills, which set budgets for various state agencies in fiscal 2011. This was of course a primary purpose of the session. Members also passed Legislation amending the Revenue Stabilization Act. This will ensure the state does not spend any money it does not have. Arkansas has a projected $4.48 billion general revenue budget for fiscal 2011. That is slight growth from the 2010 budget, but will only restore the state to funding levels of a couple years ago. Finally, the Jodie Mahony Scholarship Act will help make college a reality for thousands of Arkansas students. It sets the amount of scholarships from Arkansas lottery proceeds at $5,000 for students attending four-year colleges and Universities and $2,500 for students at two-year institutions. Lawmakers were also able to extend awards to qualifying students already enrolled in college, and to some non-traditional students. Speaker of the House Robbie Wills said he could not be more pleased with the outcome of the state's first fiscal session. " We were able to accomplish these feats in a short time frame by working with each other and with the governor's office. Members showed great statesmanship in their willingness to compromise, for the purpose of making sure our state is on the soundest ground possible heading into the next fiscal year," said Wills.