SB121

Senate Bill 121 amends the Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act to strengthen the legal protections for historical monuments and memorials. It defines 'temporary' as sixty days or less and allows citizens to bring legal action to enjoin the unauthorized removal of protected monuments. If a monument is removed without a waiver from the Arkansas History Commission, courts are authorized to order its restoration to its original condition and location. The bill specifies that these protections apply retroactively to certain removals occurring after April 28, 2021, and to monuments partially removed within the last five years. It also establishes procedures for awarding attorney’s fees and litigation expenses to successful plaintiffs, while outlining specific processes for seeking such recovery from state entities via the Arkansas State Claims Commission. Finally, the bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law to protect state monuments from perceived imminent threats.