The bill amends existing laws regarding the issuance of donation deeds and homestead donation deeds by the Commissioner of State Lands in Arkansas. Key changes include the removal of references to holding land under a donation deed in the context of actions for recovery of lands held under tax title, specifically in Arkansas Code 18-60-212(a) and 18-61-106(a). This means that individuals or entities holding land through donation deeds will no longer be subject to recovery actions unless the plaintiff can demonstrate prior possession of the land within two years before the action commenced. Additionally, the bill repeals the entire Subchapter 4 of Title 20, Chapter 80, which previously outlined the Commissioner of State Lands Urban Homestead Act, effectively eliminating the provisions related to urban property donation processes.

Furthermore, the bill updates the enumeration of special revenues in Arkansas Code 19-6-301(76) by deleting donation deed fees from the list, indicating a shift in how these fees are categorized. The bill also clarifies that the Commissioner of State Lands may waive outstanding taxes, penalties, and interest on donated properties, and it establishes that the donated parcels must be used strictly for the construction or maintenance of homesteads for eligible persons. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the process of land donation and recovery while removing outdated provisions related to urban homesteading.

Statutes affected:
HB 1399: 18-60-212(a), 18-61-106(a), 19-6-301(76), 26-38-103(a)