20-03-2025
Arkansas prison funding bill back to Senate after amendment fails in subcommittee
Video: Legislation for $750 million new prison funding filed in Arkansas legislature
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The bill to appropriate $750 million for a 3,000-bed Arkansas prison is in legislative motion after a Thursday committee vote.
Senate Bill 354 had not seen much activity since being submitted to the Joint Budget Committee on March 3. Today it left the Joint Budget Committee with a do pass vote, returning it to the Senate floor.
Legislature filing mandates $1 billion fund for Arkansas prison construction
The previous General Assembly provided $75 million in funding for the prison, which is expected to have a final cost of $825 million.
Last week, Sen. Jimmy Hickey (R-Texarkana) filed an amendment to establish a temporary $1 billion fund to cover the building and possible cost overruns. Since that fund would be established, the amendment was to be heard by the Joint Budget Committee's Special Language Subcommittee.
In a Thursday morning hearing, Hickey's amendment failed when it did not receive a second, putting the bill into the Joint Budget Committee hearing later that morning.
Several Senators and Representatives spoke against the bill in the Joint Budget hearing, citing concerns about the lack of planning and preparation for a project this size, including the cost of associated expenses such as building suitable roads and wastewater treatment for the rural Franklin County site.
Arkansas Sheriff's Association head explains support for proposed prison
Others expressed concerns about staffing a prison that size, with Rep. Jim Wooten (R-Beebe) predicting annual staff salaries for a facility that size would be at least $40 million a year.
Those speaking in favor pointed to the need for more prison beds in Arkansas to meet the current demand. Sen. Bart Hester asked, 'What is the cost of no misdemeanor justice?' and referred to the lack of space in county jails.
The bill's lead sponsor and Joint Budget co-chair, Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), pointed out that the legislation was an appropriation, not a funding bill, and there would be checks and balances along the path to funding the prison.
The bill passed on a roll call vote, with 17 Senators and 16 representatives voting in its favor out of the committee's 55 members. It is not on the agenda for the afternoon Senate session.
Arkansas senator introduces legislation to counter governor's prison plans
The legislature will not be in session on Friday and will be on spring break recess next week.
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