HB1898

House Bill 1898 proposes a reorganization of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) by creating two new divisions: the Regulatory Division and the Regulatory Enforcement Division. The Regulatory Division will oversee the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, Arkansas Tobacco Control, the Arkansas Racing Commission, and the new Regulatory Enforcement Division. The Regulatory Enforcement Division consolidates existing enforcement functions from the Alcoholic Beverage Control Enforcement Division and the Arkansas Tobacco Control Enforcement Division. Personnel within the new Regulatory Enforcement Division will be designated as full-time law enforcement officers with statewide authority. These agents are tasked with investigating violations related to tobacco, alcohol, medical marijuana, and gambling, as well as enforcing rules established by the respective state boards and commissions. The bill also provides the director of this new division the authority to refer investigations to prosecuting attorneys or other law enforcement agencies.