AR SB523

Appropriates $500,000 to the Department of Parks and Tourism from the General Improvement Fund for grants supporting construction, renovation, maintenance, and equipment purchases.

Allows the department to adopt new rules and regulations to carry out the appropriation without restrictions from other program requirements.

Permits institutions to supplement state funds with grants, donations, federal funds, and unobligated cash income to finance project costs, but prohibits use of maintenance and general operations funds for these purposes.

Requires strict compliance with state purchasing law, accounting procedures, revenue stabilization law, and fiscal control regulations in disbursement of funds.

Takes effect July 1, 2011 as an emergency measure deemed essential to agency operations.