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HB 1983

Amending the definition of timberland for purposes of determining the real estate excise tax for a governmental entity.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Adam Bernbaum and 1 co-sponsor

The bill clarifies that the Natural State Council holds absolute title to the property, with limited parcels reserved for scouting and public uses, and reiterates sale/lease terms.

Effective date 6/11/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 1983

Summary — HB 1983 (95th General Assembly, Arkansas)

Title: Suffrage; restore to Peter Fulton of Oktibbeha County.
Note: The bill text primarily concerns amendment to Acts 1973, No. 167 §4 (sale of certain property to Westark Area Council, Boy Scouts of America). Several entries in the supplied document appear to mix in unrelated legislative text from other jurisdictions; this summary focuses on the substantive Arkansas bill language.

At a glance

  • Purpose: To clarify and confirm absolute title to property originally conveyed under Acts 1973, No. 167 to the Westark Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (now Natural State Council), and to amend the 1973 sale/lease provisions in §4 of that Act.
  • Introduced: January 22, 2025 (Representative Eubanks; Senator G. Stubblefield listed as sponsor)
  • Status: Died in Committee (per bill header). Legislative action records provided are internally inconsistent; see “Procedural notes” below.

Main intent

The bill seeks to remove uncertainty about title and restrictive conditions (including rights of reverter) created by the original 1973 conveyance and the 1991 quitclaim, by confirming and clarifying that the council (now the Natural State Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc., successor by merger effective Nov. 16, 2023) holds absolute and sole title to the property described in the 1991 quitclaim deed — free and clear of conditions and rights of reverter in favor of the State of Arkansas or its agencies — except for specific parcels reserved for ongoing scouting and compatible public uses.

Key provisions and changes

  • Legislative intent section recounts background:
    • Original deed: June 30, 1973; recorded Feb. 18, 1976 (Misc. Deed Book 79, p. 534), described up to 2,842 acres with restrictive uses/rights of reverter.
    • 1991 confirmation: Acts 1991, No. 38 authorized a quitclaim deed executed Sept. 19, 1991 (recorded Oct. 17, 1991); the quitclaim recites 2,852 acres (10-acre discrepancy).
    • Notes uncertainties about whether the Developmental Disabilities Services Board had authority to release all conditions, and whether the 1991 act released restrictions beyond resolving a survey ambiguity.
    • Notes the 2023 merger that created Natural State Council as successor in interest.
  • Confirms title “free and clear” to the property as described in the 1991 quitclaim deed, except for specified lots/parcels (identified by section/township/range and portions of lots) that are to remain for Boy Scout programs and compatible public uses (e.g., agreements with Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission) provided such use does not impair scouting activities.
  • Amends Acts 1973, No. 167 §4 language governing sale/lease terms:
    • Reiterates that lands may be sold for cash or leased for up to five years with an option to purchase during the lease.
    • Specifies a possible annual lease rental amount of $1,000 and that lease payments apply against the purchase price if option exercised.
    • Defines “purchase for cash” to include initial acquisition cost to the State, appraised value of man-made structures paid for with public funds, and estimated sale costs (text in provided excerpt is partially truncated).

Who is affected

  • Natural State Council of Boy Scouts of America, Inc. (successor to Westark Area Council) — primary beneficiary; receives clarified, confirmed title.
  • State of Arkansas and its agencies (e.g., Developmental Disabilities Services Board, Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission) — potential loss or clarification of previously reserved reverter/conditions.
  • Local record/title interests in Logan County (where deeds are recorded).
  • Users of the property: scouting organizations, girl scouts, other youth recreational activities, and public agencies under compatible-use agreements.

Procedural / timeline notes

  • The bill was filed Jan. 22, 2025. The supplied legislative actions list contains multiple, conflicting entries (including actions from other states and references to enactment and Act numbers). The bill header indicates its final status as “Died In Committee.” Because the document mix includes unrelated material (e.g., an Illinois appropriation bill), treat enactment/status claims with caution and consult the Arkansas legislative record for final disposition.

Important specifics

  • Acreage discrepancy cited: 2,842 acres (1973) vs. 2,852 acres (quitclaim).
  • Quitclaim deed recorded: Oct. 17, 1991.
  • Merger creating Natural State Council effective: Nov. 16, 2023.
  • Lease terms referenced: up to 5 years; $1,000/year rental; lease payments credited toward purchase.

If you want, I can (1) extract and produce the exact legal parcel descriptions quoted in the bill, (2) compare this draft to Acts 1973, No. 167 and Acts 1991, No. 38 to show the specific textual changes, or (3) look up the Arkansas legislative status on the official legislature website to confirm final disposition.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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