SB307
To Amend The Law Concerning Public Utilities; To Create The Generating Arkansas Jobs Act Of 2025; And To Declare An Emergency.
Last Action (March 20, 2025): Notification that SB307 is now Act 373
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
Senate Bill 307, the 'Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025,' modifies regulatory processes for public utilities and electric cooperatives in Arkansas. The bill establishes new procedures for the Arkansas Public Service Commission regarding certificates of public convenience and necessity for utility facilities, setting timelines for commission review. It updates the process for how cooperatives may adjust their rates and charges without undergoing full 'rate case' administrative procedures. Key provisions include lowering the percentage of member-consumers required to trigger a commission investigation into cooperative rate changes from 15% to 10%. The bill also provides clearer pathways for utilities to seek recovery for 'strategic investments' through riders. Additionally, it clarifies existing exemptions for generation and transmission cooperatives and outlines specific notification requirements for rate changes. The act includes an emergency clause to take effect immediately upon passage.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries are public utility companies and electric cooperatives operating in Arkansas. These entities benefit from more streamlined regulatory procedures, clearer timelines for the approval of new infrastructure projects, and a more efficient process for implementing rate adjustments. Additionally, the bill provides a clearer mechanism for utilities to recover costs associated with strategic investments, which may support infrastructure development and capital projects.
Who Might Suffer?
The primary group potentially impacted negatively is the residential and commercial rate-paying consumer base of these electric cooperatives. By lowering the petition threshold required to trigger a formal investigation into rate hikes from 15% to 10% of members, the bill makes it easier for cooperatives to bypass traditional, rigorous 'rate case' reviews. Consumers may face higher utility rates with less direct oversight or opportunity for intervention unless they can organize a sufficient number of members to challenge the changes.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 18, 2025View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tracy Steele | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Yea |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Yea |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | NV |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Nay |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | Nay |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | Yea |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Yea |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | Yea |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | NV |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | Yea |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Nay |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | Yea |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | Yea |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | Yea |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | NV |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | Yea |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Nay |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | NV |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | Yea |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | Yea |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | Yea |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | NV |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | NV |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Yea |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | Nay |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Nay |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | NV |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | Yea |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | Nay |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | NV |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Nay |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Nay |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | Nay |
| Glenn Barnes | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Lincoln Barnett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Alyssa Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Nick Burkes | Republican | House | Yea |
| Paul Childress | Republican | House | Yea |
| James Eaton | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brad Hall | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dolly Henley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jessie McGruder | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jason Nazarenko | Republican | House | Yea |
| Randy Torres | Republican | House | Yea |
| Diana Gonzales Worthen | Democrat | House | NV |
Third Reading
March 12, 2025View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
EMERGENCY CLAUSE ADOPTED
March 12, 2025View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
Third Reading
March 5, 2025View individual votes (35)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jane English | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jonathan Dismang | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Greg Leding | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Missy Irvin | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Bryan King | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Kim Hammer | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Stephanie Flowers | Democrat | Senate | Yea |
| Frederick Love | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Terry Rice | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Reginald Murdock | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Gary Stubblefield | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Jim Dotson | Republican | Senate | NV |
| John Payton | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Alan Clark | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Ronald Caldwell | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Bart Hester | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jimmy Hickey | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Dan Sullivan | Republican | Senate | NV |
| David Wallace | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Blake Johnson | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Justin Boyd | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clarke Tucker | Democrat | Senate | NV |
| Scott Flippo | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Clint Penzo | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Mark Johnson | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Ricky Hill | Republican | Senate | Nay |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | Senate | Nay |
| Breanne Davis | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Ben Gilmore | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Joshua Bryant | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt McKee | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Jim Petty | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Steve Crowell | Republican | Senate | NV |
| Tyler Dees | Republican | Senate | Yea |
| Matt Stone | Republican | Senate | Yea |
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