AR HB1481

Reappropriates $52,400 in Development and Enhancement Fund balances from Act 38 of 2018 for maintenance, renovation, equipping, construction, acquisition, improvement, upgrade, and repair of State Crime Laboratory real property and facilities, effective July 1, 2019.

Reappropriates $4,700,000 in Development and Enhancement Fund balances from Act 38 of 2018 for constructing and equipping a forensic laboratory in Northwest Arkansas, effective July 1, 2019.

Prohibits contracts or obligations in excess of State Treasury funds actually available, but permits the State Crime Laboratory to accept grants, donations, Federal funds, and unobligated cash income to supplement appropriations.

Requires strict compliance with State Purchasing Law, General Accounting and Budgetary Procedures Law, Revenue Stabilization Law, and Department of Finance and Administration regulations in disbursement of funds.

Declares an emergency effective July 1, 2019, to allow immediate operation of the agency, citing constitutional restrictions on multi-year appropriations and potential harm from delayed implementation.