SB445

Senate Bill 445 proposes amending the Arkansas Constitution, specifically Amendments 91 and 101, to expand the allowed use of bond proceeds and tax revenues from strictly 'four-lane' highway projects to 'multilane' highway projects. The bill asserts that the General Assembly has the constitutional authority to amend voter-approved constitutional amendments by a two-thirds vote, citing Article 5, Section 1. It outlines the legislative intent to challenge previous judicial interpretations, specifically Arkansas Game and Fish Commission v. Edgmon, in favor of a literal interpretation of the term 'measure' in the state constitution. By broadening the definition of authorized projects, the bill provides the Arkansas Highway Commission with greater flexibility in utilizing bond funds for various highway infrastructure improvements beyond original capacity constraints. The bill also includes an emergency clause to expedite the implementation of these changes.