HB1517

House Bill 1517 mandates a structural change to the governance of Ouachita County, Arkansas. Specifically, the bill separates the office of sheriff from the office of tax collector, ending the current arrangement where these duties are combined. Simultaneously, the bill consolidates the office of tax collector with the office of county treasurer into a single entity. These changes are set to take effect on January 1, 2026. The legislation directs that, starting with the 2026 general election, voters in Ouachita County will elect a sheriff and a combined tax collector-treasurer, with those individuals assuming office on January 1, 2027. Both new offices will be required to post bonds, and their compensation and staffing allowances will be determined by the Ouachita County Quorum Court within state-prescribed ranges.