SB70 Summary

• Appropriates $6,104,671 for the Administrative Office of the Courts Operations for fiscal year 2023-2024, including $3,315,182 in regular salaries for 46 employees and $519,350 for court interpreter fees.

• Establishes appropriations for multiple court-related programs including $8,305,842 for the Division of Dependency-Neglect Representation, $7,769,039 for Court Automation, and $3,099,896 for Drug Court Enhancement.

• Authorizes appropriations for specialized court programs including $1,000,000 for Juvenile Justice Reform, $400,000 for Accountability Courts, $1,000,000 for Adult Drug Court, and various smaller programs totaling over $29 million statewide.

• Amends Arkansas Code to allow the Division of Dependency-Neglect Representation to contract with previously employed state attorneys and part-time employees for legal services, and establishes funding transfer procedures between the State Administration of Justice Fund and State Central Services Fund.

• Effective July 1, 2023, with emergency clause provisions allowing immediate implementation to ensure continuity of court operations.