SB403

Senate Bill 403 creates the 2030 Arkansas Complete Count Committee to improve participation in the 2030 federal decennial census. The bill establishes a 30-member committee comprising representatives from state government, nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and the business sector. The committee is tasked with analyzing causes of previous undercounts, developing statewide outreach and educational initiatives, and recommending strategies to ensure a more accurate population count. It is required to coordinate with the U.S. Census Bureau and advise state agencies on integrating census outreach into their activities. The committee will report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislative Council in 2026 and 2030, with an expiration date of September 30, 2030. The legislation is driven by concerns that past undercounts have negatively impacted the state's receipt of federal funding.