The bill establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program within the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, creating a dedicated fund known as the "Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program Fund." This fund will consist of revenues authorized by law and will be utilized to award grants to eligible water and sewer treatment facilities for infrastructure and improvement projects that are shovel-ready. The commission is tasked with creating an application process, defining eligibility criteria, and executing legal agreements for the disbursement of grants.

Additionally, the bill outlines the distribution of grant funding, with 80% allocated to larger cities and rural systems serving populations over 1,200, and 20% designated for smaller towns and systems serving populations of 1,200 or less. The program is set to expire five years from its effective date, and the commission is required to report annually on the status of grants awarded. An emergency clause is included, emphasizing the urgent need to improve Arkansas's water systems for public health and safety.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1681 V2 - 3-11-2025 09:56 AM: 19-5-905(a), 19-6-301
Old version HB1681 V3 - 3-18-2025 10:29 AM: 19-5-905(a), 19-6-301
Old version HB1681 Original - 3-4-2025 04:33 PM: 19-5-905(a), 19-6-301
HB 1681: 19-5-905(a), 19-6-301