The proposed bill amends existing laws in Arkansas to facilitate construction and development by allowing third parties, specifically "private professional providers" such as licensed engineers and architects, to conduct plan reviews and site inspections. It establishes a structured approval process for permit requests, requiring local government officials to notify applicants about the completeness of their applications within five business days. If local officials are unable to review the application in that timeframe, applicants can request a private professional provider at the local government's expense. The bill also mandates that applicants submit the provider's review report to local officials within five days of completion, with local governments required to respond within ten business days; failure to respond results in automatic approval of the permit request.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities and liabilities of private professional providers, including the necessity for them to maintain professional liability insurance based on project costs. Local governments are granted immunity from liability concerning actions taken by these providers and may set certification requirements for them. The legislation also requires local governments to provide a schedule of regulatory fees and allows for the issuance of stop-work orders for non-compliance with regulations. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the permitting and inspection processes while ensuring accountability and adherence to local regulations.

Statutes affected:
Old version SB322 V2 - 3-17-2025 02:00 PM: 14-1-503, 03-17-2025, 17-30-101, 17-15-102, 17-38-301, 14-1-504, 14-1-505
Old version SB322 Original - 2-26-2025 02:34 PM: 14-1-503, 17-30-101, 17-15-102
SB 322: 14-1-503, 17-30-101, 17-15-102
Act 591: 14-1-503, 03-17-2025, 17-30-101, 17-15-102, 17-38-301, 14-1-504, 14-1-505