The bill proposes an appropriation for the Department of Commerce - State Insurance Department for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, establishing a maximum of 188 regular employees with specified salary grades. It allocates over $15 million for various operational needs, including personal services, operating expenses, and specific programs such as the Insurance Fraud Investigation Division and the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative Database. Notably, it designates $250,000 for firefighter cancer relief and $3.2 million for the Arkansas Healthcare Transparency Initiative Database, reflecting a comprehensive approach to funding the department's operations and public health initiatives.
Additionally, the bill allocates $10 million for the Arkansas Cyber Response Program and $815,853 for the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, aimed at empowering Medicare beneficiaries to combat healthcare fraud. It includes provisions for transferring unused appropriations to contract qualified examination personnel if necessary and mandates that any reimbursement of travel expenses by the Arkansas Insurance Department be returned to the original fund. An emergency clause is included to ensure the act takes effect by July 1, 2025, facilitating the timely administration of essential governmental programs.