The Joint Budget Committee considered House Bill 16 35, a request for a $5 million appropriation toward construction of a veterinary teaching hospital at the Little Rock Zoo, and the committee declined to advance the measure following a division vote in the Senate portion.

Sponsor remarks said the hospital would support two new in-state veterinary programs at Arkansas State University and Lyon College, provide 5–10 additional internship and externship rotations every six weeks, and be constructed as a public–private partnership with the zoo raising the remaining project cost (sponsor estimated total cost at $8–10 million). The hospital was described as having educational benefits for K–12 outreach and increased hands-on training for veterinary students, particularly for large-hoofstock and equine medicine.

Why it mattered: sponsors argued the facility would expand clinical training slots within the state and help retain veterinary graduates, while several senators questioned the empirical need and the public benefit relative to the requested appropriation.

Senator Payton confirmed both new veterinary colleges have been engaged in discussions and expressed support from university leadership. Senator Caldwell said he had spoken to Arkansas State faculty who reported insufficient case volumes to justify a new hospital, and he indicated he would vote no. Senator Hill asked what the state’s benefit would be given that the universities were supportive but could also pursue private capacity; the sponsor reiterated the training and retention rationale. Senator Tucker clarified that the measure before the committee was an appropriation authority only, not an immediate funding release.

After a roll-call division for the Senate portion, the chair announced the motion failed.

Ending: The committee did not advance HB 16 35. Sponsors may return with additional data about projected caseloads, formal university commitments, or revised financing plans before attempting another appropriation request.