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Taxes & Budget

SB326

An Act For The Department Of Agriculture - Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Appropriation For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year.

Failed

Last Action (May 1, 2023): Sine Die adjournment

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

Senate Bill 326 provides a $50,000,000 appropriation for the Arkansas Department of Agriculture's Arkansas Natural Resources Commission for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. These funds are specifically designated for the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program. The bill mandates that the disbursement of these funds must strictly adhere to state procurement, accounting, and budgetary laws. It also clarifies legislative intent by tying the use of funds to official agency requests and legislative recommendations. Finally, the bill includes an emergency clause to ensure the funding becomes effective on July 1, 2023, to prevent interruptions in government operations.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries are local governments, water and sewer districts, and utility providers across Arkansas that are eligible to apply for and receive grants to fund their water and sewer infrastructure projects. Residents in areas with aging or insufficient water and sewer treatment facilities also benefit from the potential improvements to public health and infrastructure reliability funded by these grants.

Who Might Suffer?

There is no group that is directly or negatively impacted by the passage of this appropriation act, as it authorizes the distribution of state funds for public infrastructure improvements. However, potential applicants that do not meet the criteria for the grants or organizations that might have preferred these funds be allocated to different state priorities may experience an indirect opportunity cost.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us