everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Transportation

HB1353

To Amend The Law Concerning The Use Of Highway Revenues Distributed To County And City Funds.

Failed

Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in House Committee at Sine Die Adjournment

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1353 amends existing Arkansas law regarding the authorized uses of highway revenue funds distributed to cities and counties. The bill expands the permissible scope of expenditures for these funds to include the purchase and replacement of culvert draining mechanisms located within the right-of-way of privately owned driveways. This expansion is specifically allowed when the city's street department determines that a culvert is negatively impacting drainage. By adding this provision, the bill provides municipalities with the legal authority to allocate state-distributed highway revenues toward addressing localized drainage issues caused by private infrastructure.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are property owners whose private driveways utilize culverts that require replacement or maintenance to prevent drainage problems. Additionally, municipal governments benefit by gaining the explicit legal authority to use highway funds to resolve these drainage issues, potentially reducing flooding risks and infrastructure damage within city limits.

Who Might Suffer?

Taxpayers and residents within the affected municipalities may be negatively impacted if the redirection of highway funds toward private driveway culvert maintenance results in fewer resources being available for broader, public-facing transportation projects, such as the maintenance or construction of public streets and public transit systems.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us