The bill amends existing laws in Arkansas to allow third parties, specifically "private professional providers" such as licensed engineers and architects, to conduct plan reviews and site inspections for construction and development projects. It establishes a clear framework for the permit approval process, requiring local government officials to notify applicants about the completeness of their applications within five business days. If the local government cannot review the application in that timeframe, the applicant can request a private professional provider to conduct the review at the local government's expense. The bill also mandates that applicants submit the provider's review report to the local government within five days, and if the local government does not respond within ten business days regarding any deficiencies, the permit request is automatically approved.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the responsibilities and liabilities of private professional providers, including the necessity for them to maintain professional liability insurance with specified coverage limits based on project costs. It grants local governments immunity from liability concerning actions taken by these private providers and allows them to establish certification requirements. The bill also requires local governments to provide a schedule of regulatory fees and includes exemptions for certain facilities, such as hospitals and airports, from the provisions of this subchapter. Overall, the legislation aims to streamline the permitting process while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, thereby facilitating construction and development in the state.

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