This bill establishes new requirements and regulations for individuals planning to conduct crop residue burns in Arkansas. It mandates that such burns must be reported to the Department of Agriculture for approval prior to commencement and must adhere to the Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines for Row Crop Burning. Additionally, the bill clarifies that crop residue burns are permissible in counties with burn bans unless deemed unsafe by the Forestry Division of the Department of Agriculture.

Furthermore, the bill addresses liability issues by stating that individuals who conduct crop residue burns in compliance with the outlined requirements will not be held liable for damages or injuries caused by the fire, unless negligence can be proven. It also introduces a tiered system of civil penalties for violations, with fines escalating from $25,000 for the first offense to $75,000 for subsequent violations. The bill allows for appeals against civil penalties and stipulates that collected fines will support the Agri Scholarship Program.