HB1522

House Bill 1522 amends Arkansas law to establish a standardized procedure for determining the population of newly incorporated municipalities during years when a federal decennial census occurs. It authorizes the Arkansas Geographic Information Systems Office to calculate the population for these entities using the most recent federal census data available to ensure the timely distribution of municipal aid funds, turnback funds, and county sales and use tax revenues. Currently, newly incorporated municipalities may face delays in receiving these critical funding disbursements due to the lack of updated federal census data. By providing an alternative calculation method, the bill ensures that new municipalities can receive financial support immediately upon incorporation to provide essential services. The bill includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take effect immediately upon becoming law to address this funding gap.