The proposed bill aims to prohibit any moratorium on the issuance of permits in watersheds and other bodies of water in Arkansas. It amends Arkansas Code 10-3-309(f) to clarify that committees or subcommittees considering rules for a moratorium are not required to state their grounds for disapproval. Additionally, it introduces a new section, 15-23-107, which defines "moratorium" and establishes that state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy and Environment, cannot impose a moratorium on permits unless they follow specific procedures, including rule promulgation and approval from the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.

The bill outlines that any moratorium approved under these conditions will expire after four years unless renewed through the proper channels. It also specifies that this prohibition does not affect existing moratoriums established before the bill's effective date, nor does it grant authority to agencies that lack statutory power to impose a moratorium. The act is set to take effect on February 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB290 V2 - 3-31-2025 02:34 PM: 10-3-309(f)
Old version SB290 V3 - 4-2-2025 10:14 AM: 10-3-309(f)
Old version SB290 V4 - 4-14-2025 09:17 AM: 10-3-309(f)
Act 921: 10-3-309(f)