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HB 1690

Appropriation; City of Jackson for making repairs to the West Bank Interceptor of the city's sewer system.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Bo Brown

Transfers Arkansas Nuclear Planning and Response Program from DOH to the Division of Emergency Management, shifting duties, funding, and personnel effective July 1, 2025.

Died In Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 1690

Summary — HB 1690 (Arkansas, 95th General Assembly, 2025 Session)

Status (from provided bill info): Died in Committee.
(Note: the document excerpt contains material from multiple states and chambers; this summary focuses on the Arkansas bill text provided, sponsored by Rep. Pilkington and Sen. B. Davis.)

Main purpose

HB 1690 would transfer Arkansas’s Nuclear Planning and Response Program from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Division of Emergency Management (DEM) within the Department of Public Safety, revise related statutory language, and address the administrative, fiscal, and operational effects of that transfer. The bill also includes an emergency/implementation timeline.

Key provisions and changes

  • Transfer mechanics

    • The Nuclear Planning and Response Program (currently under Ark. Code §§ 20-21-401 et seq.) is transferred by cabinet-level department transfer from DOH to DEM effective July 1, 2025.
    • Statutory authority, powers, duties, records, personnel, property, contracts, and unexpended balances related to the program (including budgeting and purchasing functions) move to DEM on that date.
    • DOH must provide access to information and cooperation to effect the transfer.

  • Continuity of rules and orders

    • Existing DOH orders, rules, regulations, directives, and standards regarding the program remain in force after transfer until amended or repealed under existing legal authority.

  • Substantive program changes (codified amendments to Ark. Code §§ 20-21-401 — 405)

    • Legislative intent language is revised to explicitly charge the Division of Emergency Management with carrying out the nuclear planning and response program.
    • Definitions and program elements are updated (including revised definitions for “chief financial officer” and “continuous environmental radiation surveillance”).
    • Program duties listed for the division include:
    • Continuous environmental radiation surveillance around nuclear-powered electricity generating facilities.
    • Public training and education about nuclear hazards and protective measures.
    • Immediate emergency response planning and capability.
    • Public information dissemination, evacuation and protective measure planning.
    • Other radiation monitoring/response services as determined necessary or approved by DEM.
    • Staffing authority retained: DEM may employ necessary personnel as funds are appropriated.
    • Funding and compensation:
    • Continuous surveillance may be funded through the Arkansas Nuclear Planning and Response Fund and appropriations.
    • The chief financial officer determines annual operating funding needs (not to exceed legislative appropriations); compensation amounts are to be determined by the chief financial officer and approved by the Director of DEM.

Who is affected

  • Primary state agencies: Department of Health (loses program), Division of Emergency Management/Department of Public Safety (assumes program).
  • Program personnel, contracts, records, property and budgets transferred to DEM.
  • Utilities operating nuclear-powered electricity generating facilities (subject to fees/assessments to fund the program).
  • Residents and local officials near nuclear facilities who rely on surveillance, public education, and emergency plans.

Timeline and procedural notes

  • Effective transfer date specified: July 1, 2025.
  • The bill text includes an emergency clause and explicit “do not codify” transfer mechanics for administrative execution.
  • Existing DOH rules remain effective until changed by the appropriate authority post-transfer.

Caveats / document inconsistencies

  • The provided materials include fragments from other states and bills (Illinois, Indiana) and a range of legislative actions that appear inconsistent with the Arkansas bill status in the header. This summary restricts itself to the Arkansas HB 1690 text provided, and the legislative status at the top (Died in Committee) should be treated as the reported status unless authoritative legislative records indicate otherwise.

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

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