The "Generating Arkansas Jobs Act of 2025" seeks to amend existing laws governing public utilities in Arkansas, particularly focusing on the approval and recovery processes for strategic investments in utility infrastructure. Key changes include the requirement for public service facilities to obtain a certificate from the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) to confirm public convenience and necessity. The bill introduces provisions allowing public utilities to notify the APSC of their intent to recover strategic investments through a rider mechanism, while also clarifying definitions related to "generation and transmission cooperative" and "strategic investments." Additionally, it modifies the notification requirements for cooperatives regarding proposed rate changes, reducing the threshold for member-consumer petitions from fifteen percent to ten percent.

The legislation emphasizes the need for timely action to enhance the state's electric and natural gas utility infrastructure, supporting economic development and ensuring reliable service for customers. It establishes a framework for recovering costs associated with strategic investments, including new electric generating facilities and natural gas transmission lines, while ensuring regulatory oversight and consumer protection. The bill also outlines specific procedures for electric distribution cooperatives and electric generation and transmission cooperatives to recover costs through a designated rider, with provisions for annual updates and refunds pending commission review. Overall, the act aims to streamline processes, enhance regulatory clarity, and support job creation in the public utility sector while maintaining consumer protections.

Statutes affected:
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)