HB1416

House Bill 1416 amends Arkansas law to establish a process for volunteer fire departments serving unincorporated county areas to levy annual dues on residences and businesses with occupiable structures. Under the bill, a volunteer fire department may request that the county quorum court authorize the collection of these dues through the county tax collector. The levy can be approved either through a special election or by filing an attested petition signed by a majority of registered voters within the fire protection district. Once approved, the dues are collected annually alongside real property taxes. The bill also allows for specific exemptions, such as for active volunteer firefighters and tax-exempt churches, and mandates that departments file annual reports with the county clerk to ensure transparency and proper remittance of funds. Departments are responsible for the costs of any required special election.