The bill, known as the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025, amends existing laws related to public utilities in Arkansas, specifically Arkansas Code 23-3-201. It mandates that any new construction or operation of public service facilities must secure a certificate from the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) to ensure public convenience and necessity. The bill introduces provisions allowing public utilities to notify the PSC of their intent to recover strategic investments through a rider mechanism, while also clarifying exemptions for generation and transmission cooperatives under certain conditions. Additionally, it revises the process for issuing certificates, including timelines for decisions and requirements for utilities to provide supporting evidence for their applications.

The legislation emphasizes the importance of strategic investments in electric and natural gas utility infrastructure to foster economic development and job creation in Arkansas. It establishes a framework for recovering costs associated with these investments, including provisions for investor-owned utilities and cooperatives to manage and recover costs through designated riders. The bill also outlines criteria for cost recovery related to abandoned or suspended investments, ensuring that such costs are assessed in the public interest. Overall, the act aims to streamline regulatory processes while safeguarding consumer protection and promoting reliable utility services essential for economic growth in the state.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB307 Original - 2-25-2025 04:46 PM: 23-3-201(a), 23-3-201(b), 23-3-201, 23-4-901, 23-4-902, 23-4-402, 23-4-405, 23-4-418, 23-4-620, 23-4-634, 23-4-903, 23-4-905, 23-4-906, 23-4-908, 23-4-907, 23-4-909, 23-4-1102, 23-4-1104(a), 23-4-1105(a), 23-4-1106, 23-18-104, 23-4-1303, 23-4-1301, 23-18-202, 23-18-502(a), 23-18-503, 23-18-503(6), 23-18-504(a), 23-18-508, 23-18-510, 23-18-513, 23-18-517, 26-35-705, 23-18-514, 23-18-516(a), 23-18-517(a), 23-18-519(a)
Old version SB307 V2 - 3-11-2025 05:16 PM: 23-3-201(a), 23-3-201(b), 03-11-2025, 23-3-201, 23-4-901, 23-4-902, 23-4-402, 23-4-405, 23-4-418, 23-4-620, 23-4-634, 23-4-903, 23-4-905, 23-4-906, 23-4-908, 23-4-907, 23-4-909, 23-4-1102, 23-4-1104(a), 23-4-1105(a), 23-4-1106, 23-18-104, 23-4-1303, 23-4-1301, 23-2-423, 23-18-202, 23-18-502(a), 23-18-503, 23-18-503(6), 23-18-504(a), 23-18-508, 23-18-510, 23-18-501, 23-18-513, 23-18-517, 26-35-705, 23-18-514, 23-18-516(a), 23-18-517(a), 23-18-519(a)
SB 307: 23-3-201(a), 23-3-201(b), 23-3-201, 23-4-901, 23-4-902, 23-4-402, 23-4-405, 23-4-418, 23-4-620, 23-4-634, 23-4-903, 23-4-905, 23-4-906, 23-4-908, 23-4-907, 23-4-909, 23-4-1102, 23-4-1104(a), 23-4-1105(a), 23-4-1106, 23-18-104, 23-4-1303, 23-4-1301, 23-18-202, 23-18-502(a), 23-18-503, 23-18-503(6), 23-18-504(a), 23-18-508, 23-18-510, 23-18-513, 23-18-517, 26-35-705, 23-18-514, 23-18-516(a), 23-18-517(a), 23-18-519(a)
Act 373: 23-3-201(a), 23-3-201(b), 03-11-2025, 23-3-201, 23-4-901, 23-4-902, 23-4-402, 23-4-405, 23-4-418, 23-4-620, 23-4-634, 23-4-903, 23-4-905, 23-4-906, 23-4-908, 23-4-907, 23-4-909, 23-4-1102, 23-4-1104(a), 23-4-1105(a), 23-4-1106, 23-18-104, 23-4-1303, 23-4-1301, 23-2-423, 23-18-202, 23-18-502(a), 23-18-503, 23-18-503(6), 23-18-504(a), 23-18-508, 23-18-510, 23-18-501, 23-18-513, 23-18-517, 26-35-705, 23-18-514, 23-18-516(a), 23-18-517(a), 23-18-519(a)