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SB 85

Grants for Foster Children; a grant program to provide grants to former foster youth who meet eligibility requirements, subject to specific appropriations; establish

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by John Albers and 8 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 85 aimed to protect the Pine Tree Research Station by banning commercial timber harvesting while allowing wildlife management, promoting ecological integrity.

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Bill Summary · SB 85

Summary of Senate Bill 85 (SB 85)

Bill Overview

  • Bill Number: SB 85
  • Title: To Preserve Public Property; and to Preserve Timber at the Pine Tree Research Station
  • Introduced: January 21, 2025
  • Status: Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment on May 5, 2025
  • Authors: Senator Caldwell, Representative Hollowell

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 85 aimed to protect public property, specifically focusing on the preservation of timber at the Pine Tree Research Station in St. Francis County, Arkansas. The bill sought to prevent commercial timber harvesting on this property while allowing for certain management practices aimed at wildlife conservation.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed amendments to Arkansas Code § 6-64-718, which governs the preservation of the Pine Tree Research Station. The key provisions included:

  1. Prohibition on Commercial Harvesting:

    • The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas would be prohibited from commercially harvesting timber on the Pine Tree Research Station.

  2. Wildlife Management:

    • The Board would be allowed to manage the timber for wildlife management purposes. This could include practices such as selective logging or other timber management strategies that support wildlife habitats.

  3. Oversight Requirements:

    • Any contracts initiated by the Board for timber management would require prior review by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development and the House Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development. This provision aimed to ensure legislative oversight of timber management activities.

Impact

  • Affected Entities:

    • The primary entity affected by this bill would be the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, which manages the Pine Tree Research Station. Additionally, wildlife conservation efforts in the region could benefit from the proposed timber management practices.

  • Environmental Considerations:

    • By restricting commercial timber harvesting, the bill aimed to protect the ecological integrity of the Pine Tree Research Station, promoting biodiversity and wildlife habitats.

Procedural Aspects

  • The bill was filed and quickly moved through the legislative process, being read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Economic Development on the same day.
  • Despite its initial progress, SB 85 ultimately died in committee at the Sine Die adjournment on May 5, 2025, meaning it did not advance to a full Senate vote.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 85 represented an effort to balance timber management with wildlife conservation at the Pine Tree Research Station. While it did not pass, the discussions surrounding the bill highlighted ongoing concerns regarding public property management and environmental stewardship in Arkansas.

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

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