Relating to: the veterans housing and recovery program and making an appropriation. (FE)

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Carpenter and 15 co-sponsors

Senate Bill 385 eliminates the biennial reporting requirement for Arkansas' Rural Services Division, streamlining processes without financial impact on taxpayers.

Failed to pass pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 1

Purpose and Intent

Senate Bill 385 (SB 385) aims to repeal the requirement for the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission to submit a biennial report regarding its activities. This legislative change is intended to streamline reporting processes and reduce redundancy, as the information is already included in the Commission's annual report to the Legislature.

Key Provisions

Repeal of Reporting Requirement: The bill specifically targets Arkansas Code § 15-6-106(c), which mandates the Rural Services Division to prepare and submit a comprehensive report every two years. This report includes:

Assistance activities undertaken by the division.
Recommendations for legislative proposals.
Data on program activities in rural areas.
Other relevant information reflecting the division's activities over the previous biennium.

Elimination of Duplication: The bill highlights that the information required in the biennial report is already covered in the annual report submitted by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, making the biennial report redundant.

Impact

Affected Entities: The primary entity affected by this bill is the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. The repeal will relieve the division from the statutory obligation of biennial reporting.

No Financial Impact: The Legislative Impact Statement indicates that there will be no revenue impact or taxpayer impact resulting from this bill. Additionally, no additional resources will be required for implementation.

Procedural Aspects

Status: SB 385 was introduced on March 5, 2025, and has been carried over to the 2024 Regular Session for further consideration.

Legislative Journey: The bill has undergone various readings and committee reviews, with a recommendation for passage noted in the legislative actions. It has been reported from committees and is awaiting further action in the upcoming session.

Conclusion

Senate Bill 385 seeks to simplify the reporting requirements for the Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission by eliminating a biennial report that is deemed unnecessary due to existing reporting practices. This legislative change is expected to enhance efficiency within the Commission without imposing any financial burden on taxpayers.

Bill