The bill amends existing laws regarding mineral, timber, and other resources on state lands in Arkansas. It reduces the membership of the Natural Resources Committee by replacing certain positions and allowing designees to represent members. Specifically, the Secretary of the Department of Energy and Environment is introduced as a member, while the Director of Production and Conservation of the Oil and Gas Commission and the State Geologist are removed from the committee. Additionally, the bill allows for designees from various departments, including the Department of Finance and Administration, Department of Agriculture, and others, to participate in committee activities.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the notification process related to leases and permits for resource extraction on state lands. It removes the requirement to notify the Office of the State Geologist, the Oil and Gas Commission, and the Division of Environmental Quality, while adding the Department of Energy and Environment to the list of agencies that must be notified when an application for a lease or permit is filed. This streamlining aims to enhance the efficiency of the process while ensuring that relevant state agencies remain informed.

Statutes affected:
SB 368: 22-5-804(a), 22-5-807(a)
Act 445: 22-5-804(a), 22-5-807(a)