Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law. *CEB194* 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 State of Arkansas 1 95th General Assembly A Bill 2 Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 361 3 4 By: Senator Dees 5 By: Representative Beaty Jr. 6 7 For An Act To Be Entitled 8 AN ACT TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 9 AUTHORITIES EXPANSION ACT; TO PROVIDE FOR THE 10 CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO 11 SECURE AND DEVELOP INDUSTRY AND FOSTER ECONOMIC 12 DEVELOPMENT; TO IMPROVE THE STATE'S ABILITY TO 13 EFFECTIVELY COMPETE, WIN, AND DEVELOP ECONOMIC 14 DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS; TO INCREASE JOB CREATION AND 15 CAPITAL INVESTMENT; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 16 17 18 Subtitle 19 TO CREATE THE INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT 20 AUTHORITIES EXPANSION ACT; AND TO 21 PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF INDUSTRIAL 22 DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES TO SECURE AND 23 DEVELOP INDUSTRY AND FOSTER ECONOMIC 24 DEVELOPMENT. 25 26 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 27 28 SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 14, is amended to add an additional 29 chapter to read as follows: 30 Chapter 189 31 Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act 32 33 14-189-101. Title. 34 This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Industrial 35 Development Authorities Expansion Act". 36 SB361 2 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 1 14-189-102. Definitions. 2 As used in this chapter: 3 (1) “County” means a county of this state or, where a county is 4 divided into two (2) districts, “county” means the entire county or either 5 district of the county; 6 (2) “Governing body” means the: 7 (A) Council, board of directors, or other like body in 8 which the legislative functions of a municipality are vested; or 9 (B) Quorum court of the county as the quorum court has 10 been duly constituted and acting as the legislative body of the county under 11 Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 55, or if not so constituted and acting, the 12 county court of the county; 13 (3) "Industrial development authority" means a public benefit 14 corporation authorized by one (1) or more local governments as a political 15 subdivision of the state for the purpose of securing and developing industry 16 and fostering economic development and that is invested with all the powers 17 that may be necessary to enable it to accomplish those purposes; 18 (4) "Local government" means a county or a municipality; 19 (5) "Mortgage lien" means a security interest in any personal 20 property embodied in the facilities acquired, constructed, reconstructed, 21 extended, equipped, or improved, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of 22 bonds issued under this chapter; 23 (6) “Municipality” means a city of the first class, a city of the 24 second class, or an incorporated town; and 25 (7) “Person” means any natural person, partnership, corporation, 26 association, organization, business trust, and public or private person or 27 entity. 28 29 14-189-103. Power to establish. 30 (a) One (1) or more local governments may organize and establish an 31 industrial development authority in the manner and for the accomplishment of 32 the purposes specified in this chapter. 33 (b)(1) Each industrial development authority established under this 34 chapter shall consist of and be governed by a board of directors. 35 (2) The members of the board of directors of the industrial 36 SB361 3 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 development authority shall be selected and shall serve as set forth in this 1 chapter. 2 3 14-189-104. Organization of industrial development authority. 4 (a) The governing body of each local government desiring to organize 5 an industrial development authority under this chapter shall declare its 6 intention to do so by ordinance if the local government is a municipality or 7 by order if the local government is a county. 8 (b)(1) An ordinance shall authorize and direct the mayor of the 9 municipality issuing the ordinance and an order shall authorize and direct 10 the county judge of the county issuing the order to prepare, or cause to be 11 prepared, and to sign and file with the circuit clerk of any county that is 12 to be a party to the organization of an industrial development authority 13 under this chapter a petition requesting the circuit court of the county 14 where the petition is filed to establish an industrial development authority 15 under this chapter. 16 (2) The petition shall at least contain the following 17 information: 18 (A) The identity of the local governments desiring to 19 organize the industrial development authority; 20 (B)(i) The population of each petitioning local 21 government. 22 (ii) The population of a petitioning county is the 23 population of the county exclusive of the population of each petitioning 24 municipality in the county, according to the most recent federal decennial 25 census; 26 (C) The official name desired by the petitioners for the 27 industrial development authority to be established; 28 (D) The total number of the members of the board of 29 directors of the industrial development authority desired by the petitioners, 30 subject to the conditions pertaining thereto specified in this chapter; 31 (E) The number of the members of the board of directors of 32 the industrial development authority that shall represent each petitioning 33 local government, determined in accordance with the conditions specified in 34 this chapter; and 35 (F) A request that the circuit court enter an order 36 SB361 4 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 designating the total number of the members of the board of directors of the 1 industrial development authority, designating the number that shall represent 2 each petitioning local government, and establishing an industrial development 3 authority under this chapter as a public agency of the petitioning local 4 government, but with the powers set forth in this chapter, which need not be 5 enumerated in the order. 6 (c)(1) The circuit court shall enter an order establishing and naming 7 the industrial development authority and designating the board of directors 8 of the industrial development authority in accordance with the petition. 9 (2) The circuit court shall enter the order as a record of the 10 court, and the order shall be placed in the permanent records of the circuit 11 clerk of the court. 12 (d) After the entry of the order of the circuit court establishing the 13 industrial development authority and after the appointments of its members, 14 the industrial development authority shall be in existence and thereafter 15 exist as a separate entity and body corporate as set forth in this chapter. 16 17 14-189-105. Members of board of directors of industrial development 18 authority. 19 (a) Immediately after the filing of the order of the circuit court 20 issued under § 14-189-104, the governing body of each petitioning local 21 government shall appoint the persons to be the members of the board of 22 directors of the industrial development authority established by the order of 23 the circuit court in accordance with the order as to the number of members to 24 be selected by the respective petitioning local governments. 25 (b) The total number of the members of the board of directors of the 26 industrial development authority established by the order shall be an odd 27 number, each petitioning local government shall have at least one (1) 28 representative as a member of the board of directors of the industrial 29 development authority, and the number of members that represent each 30 petitioning local government shall be apportioned in the ratio that each 31 petitioner's population bears to the total population of all petitioners. 32 (c)(1) The term of each member of the board of directors of the 33 industrial development authority shall be for three (3) years from the date 34 of his or her appointment, and he or she shall serve for that term and 35 thereafter until his or her successor shall be duly appointed and qualified. 36 SB361 5 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (2) At the expiration of the term of each member of the board of 1 directors of the industrial development authority, the governing body of the 2 local government that is represented on the board of directors of the 3 industrial development authority by the member shall appoint a successor 4 member or may reappoint the same member to another term. 5 (d)(1) Except as provided in subdivision (d)(2) of this section, a 6 vacancy on the board of directors of the industrial development authority 7 shall be filled by the governing body of the local government represented on 8 the board of directors of the industrial development authority by the 9 vacating member. 10 (2)(A) If a vacancy on the board of directors of the industrial 11 development authority is not filled by the governing body under subdivision 12 (d)(1) of this section within ninety (90) days after the vacancy occurs, a 13 majority of the remaining members of the board of directors of the industrial 14 development authority shall promptly fill the vacancy by appointing a 15 qualified person to serve for either the unexpired portion of the term of the 16 vacated member or for a new term if the vacating member is unable to serve 17 until a new member is otherwise appointed and qualified. 18 (B) For the purposes of this section, the expiration of a 19 member's term does not create a vacancy unless the member whose term has 20 expired is unable to serve until his or her successor is appointed and 21 qualified. 22 (e) Before entering upon his or her duties, each member of the board 23 of directors of the industrial development authority shall take and subscribe 24 and file in the office of the circuit clerk of the county where the order 25 establishing the industrial development authority was filed an oath to 26 support the United States Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution and 27 faithfully to perform the duties of the office upon which he or she is about 28 to enter. 29 (f) To be eligible for membership on the board of directors of the 30 industrial development authority, a person, at the time of his or her 31 appointment and qualification by filing the required oath, must be a 32 qualified elector of the municipality or of the county, as the case may be, 33 that he or she represents on the board of directors of the industrial 34 development authority. 35 (g)(1)(A) The board of directors of each industrial development 36 SB361 6 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 authority shall select one (1) of its members as chair, one (1) of its 1 members as secretary, and one (1) of its members as treasurer. 2 (B) The offices of secretary and treasurer may be combined 3 and held by one (1) member. 4 (2) The term and duties of the officers shall be fixed by 5 resolution of the board of directors of each industrial development 6 authority. 7 8 14-189-106. Permanent records of industrial development authority. 9 A certified copy of each ordinance and a certified copy of each order 10 appointing persons to membership on the board of directors of the industrial 11 development authority shall be filed with the secretary of the board of 12 directors of the industrial development authority and shall be and remain 13 part of the permanent records of the industrial development authority. 14 15 14-189-107. General purposes of industrial development authority. 16 (a) An industrial development authority may accomplish the following 17 general purposes: 18 (1) To establish, acquire, develop, improve, or maintain: 19 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 20 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 21 and facilities; 22 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 23 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 24 railroads; and 25 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 26 under § 14-174-105; 27 (2) To acquire, purchase, install, lease, own, hold, use, 28 control, construct, equip, maintain, develop, and improve lands and 29 facilities, of whatever nature necessary or desirable, in connection with 30 establishing, developing, improving, and maintaining: 31 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 32 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 33 and facilities; 34 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 35 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 36 SB361 7 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 railroads; and 1 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 2 under § 14-174-105, including without limitation, buildings, warehouses, 3 utilities, and the improvement of portions of highways or roadways, and other 4 facilities not within the exclusive jurisdiction of the United States 5 Government; 6 (3) To foster and stimulate the shipment of freight and 7 commerce, whether by rail, air, roadway, highway, or other modes of 8 transport, and whether originating within or without the State of Arkansas; 9 (4) To accept and use funds from any sources and to use them in 10 such a manner as is within the purposes of the industrial development 11 authority; 12 (5) To cooperate with the State of Arkansas and all agencies, 13 departments, and instrumentalities of the State of Arkansas and with other 14 counties, municipalities, and political subdivisions in the maintenance, 15 development, improvement, and use of: 16 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 17 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 18 and facilities; 19 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 20 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 21 railroads; and 22 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 23 under § 14-174-105; 24 (6) To cooperate with any other state and all its agencies, 25 departments, and instrumentalities and port authorities, counties, 26 municipalities, political subdivisions, and all their instrumentalities and 27 agencies in other states in the maintenance, development, improvement, and 28 use of: 29 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 30 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 31 and facilities; 32 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 33 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 34 railroads; and 35 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 36 SB361 8 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 under § 14-174-105; 1 (7) To act as agent for the United States Government or any 2 agency, department, corporation, or instrumentality of the United States 3 Government and for the State of Arkansas and any agency, department, 4 instrumentality, or political subdivision of the State of Arkansas in any 5 matter pertaining to the accomplishment of the purposes of the industrial 6 development authority; 7 (8) To acquire, construct, equip, maintain, develop, and improve 8 facilities at: 9 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 10 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 11 and facilities; 12 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 13 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 14 railroads; and 15 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 16 under § 14-174-105; 17 (9) To sell, lease, contract concerning, or permit the use of 18 all or any part of the facilities acquired, constructed, and equipped under 19 this subsection to any person for industrial or commercial activities; and 20 (10) In general, to do and perform any act or function that may 21 tend to or be useful toward the development and improvement of: 22 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 23 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 24 and facilities; 25 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 26 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 27 railroads; and 28 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 29 under § 14-174-105; 30 (b) The enumeration of the purposes under subsection (a) of this 31 section shall not limit or circumscribe the broad objectives and purposes of 32 this chapter and the broad objectives of developing to the utmost: 33 (1) Commerce and industrial parks; 34 (2) Research, technology, and development proving grounds and 35 facilities; 36 SB361 9 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (3) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots for 1 military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 2 railroads; 3 (4) All other qualifying economic development projects under § 4 14-174-105; and 5 (5) Industrial and commercial development possibilities of the 6 state and the political subdivisions of the state. 7 8 14-189-108. Powers of industrial development authority generally. 9 In order to enable an industrial development authority to carry out the 10 purposes of this chapter, the industrial development authority shall: 11 (1) Have the powers of a body corporate including the power to 12 sue and be sued, to make contracts, and to adopt and use a seal; 13 (2) Have the power to rent, acquire, improve, develop, operate, 14 maintain, lease, buy, own, mortgage, otherwise encumber, sell, dispose of, 15 and otherwise deal with such real, personal, or mixed property as an 16 industrial development authority may deem proper, necessary, or desirable to 17 carry out the purposes of this chapter; 18 (3) Have the power to acquire, purchase, install, lease, rent, 19 own, hold, use, control, develop, sell, improve, construct, maintain, equip 20 and operate, and otherwise deal with and dispose of any: 21 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 22 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 23 and facilities; 24 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 25 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 26 railroads; and 27 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 28 under § 14-174-105; 29 (4) Have the power consistent with this chapter to acquire, own, 30 construct, reconstruct, extend, equip, improve, operate, maintain, sell, 31 lease, lease with or without options to purchase, lease with or without 32 options to extend or renew, contract concerning, or otherwise deal in, with, 33 or dispose of any lands, buildings, improvements, machinery, equipment, or 34 facilities of any and every nature for the securing and developing of 35 industry and commerce and parks for industrial and commercial operations; 36 SB361 10 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (5) Have the power to appoint and employ and dismiss at pleasure 1 such agents and employees as may be selected by an industrial development 2 authority and to fix and pay their compensation; 3 (6) Have the power to establish an office for the transaction of 4 business at such place as, in the opinion of an industrial development 5 authority, shall be advisable or necessary in carrying out the purposes of 6 this chapter; 7 (7) Have the power to create and operate such agencies, 8 departments, and instrumentalities as an industrial development authority may 9 deem necessary, desirable, or useful for the accomplishment and furtherance 10 of any of the purposes of this chapter; 11 (8) Have the power to pay and expend funds for all necessary 12 costs and expenses involved in and incident to the formation and organization 13 of an industrial development authority and the carrying out of the powers and 14 purposes of this chapter; 15 (9) Have the power to adopt, alter, or repeal from time to time 16 its own bylaws, rules, and regulations consistent with this chapter governing 17 the manner in which the business of an industrial development authority may 18 be transacted and in which the purposes and powers may be transacted and in 19 which the purposes and powers of an industrial development authority may be 20 accomplished and carried out; 21 (10) Have the power to fix and change, from time to time, rates 22 and charges for the use of the facilities and services of an industrial 23 development authority; 24 (11) Have the power to promulgate and to alter or repeal, from 25 time to time, rules and regulations consistent with this chapter and to 26 enforce the same governing and pertaining to the use of the facilities and 27 services of an industrial development authority; 28 (12) Have the power to sell, contract concerning, or lease any 29 of its warehouses, industrial or commercial plants and facilities, and other 30 improvements and facilities of whatever nature and to permit the use of any 31 such facilities by any person engaging in any industrial or commercial 32 activity; 33 (13) Have the power to do any and all other acts and things of 34 whatever nature consistent with this chapter necessary or incidental to the 35 carrying out of the powers specified in this section and the accomplishment 36 SB361 11 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 of the purposes of this chapter, whether or not specifically enumerated; and 1 (14) Be authorized to carry out the powers of an industrial 2 development authority and to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. 3 4 14-189-109. Industrial development authority -owned facilities — 5 Proposals for lease or operation. 6 (a) With regard to industrial development authority -owned facilities 7 used for commercial and industrial purposes, before entering into a new lease 8 of existing facilities or into a lease of new facilities, in whole or in 9 part, or before operating facilities for these purposes, in whole or in part, 10 an industrial development authority shall first publicly solicit proposals 11 for the leasing or operation of the facilities for these purposes on such 12 terms as shall be customary and usual in the commercial industry. 13 (b) An industrial development authority shall accept a proposal under 14 subsection (a) of this section that is commercially reasonable and in the 15 industrial development authority's best interest. 16 17 14-189-110. Acquisition of property, including rights -of-way. 18 (a) For the acquiring of property, including rights -of-way, necessary 19 or desirable for the carrying out of the powers of an industrial development 20 authority and for the accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter, an 21 industrial development authority may acquire property by gift, by purchase, 22 by negotiation, or by condemnation. 23 (b) If an industrial development authority determines to exercise the 24 right of eminent domain, the right of eminent domain may be exercised in the 25 manner provided for taking private property for railroads as provided by §§ 26 18-15-1202 — 18-15-1207, in the manner provided by §§ 18 -15-301 — 18-15-307, 27 or in the manner provided by any other statutes enacted for the exercise of 28 the power of eminent domain by the state, or by any officers, departments, 29 agencies, or political subdivisions of the state. 30 (c) An industrial development authority may exchange any property 31 acquired under this chapter for other property necessary or desirable in 32 carrying out of the powers of an industrial development authority. 33 34 14-189-111. Condemnation of utility system prohibited. 35 This chapter does not authorize any industrial development authority to 36 SB361 12 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 acquire by condemnation, or to issue bonds and use the proceeds of the bonds 1 to acquire by condemnation, a utility plant or utility distribution system, 2 or any part of them, owned or operated by a regulated public utility for the 3 purpose of operation by the acquiring industrial development authority. 4 5 14-189-112. Operation of railroads. 6 (a)(1) An industrial development authority may acquire, own, lease, 7 locate, install, construct, equip, hold, maintain, control, and operate 8 railroads with necessary sidings, turnouts, spur branches, switches, yard 9 tracks, transload on and off -loading equipment, bridges, trestles, and 10 causeways. 11 (2) In connection with the lines and appurtenances to the lines 12 under subdivision (a)(1) of this section, an industrial development authority 13 may lease, install, construct, acquire, own, maintain, control, and use any 14 and every kind or character of motive power and conveyances or appliances 15 necessary or proper to carry passengers, goods, wares, and merchandise over, 16 along, or upon the tracks of railroads or other conveyances. 17 (b)(1) An industrial development authority may make agreements as to 18 scale of wages, seniority, working conditions, and related matters with 19 locomotive engineers, firemen, switchmen, foremen, hostlers, and other 20 employees engaged in the operation of the railroads and the service and 21 equipment pertinent to railroads. 22 (2) An industrial development authority may connect with or 23 cross any other railroad upon payment of just compensation and receive, 24 deliver to, and transport the freight, passengers, and cars of common carrier 25 railroads as though they were ordinary common carriers. 26 27 14-189-113. Dealings with United States Government. 28 (a)(1) An industrial development authority may assign, transfer, 29 lease, convey, grant, or donate to the United States Government or to the 30 appropriate agency of the United States Government any or all of the property 31 of the industrial development authority for use by the United States 32 Government or the appropriate agency of the United States Government, for any 33 purpose included within the purposes of this chapter. 34 (2) An assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, grant, or 35 donation under subdivision (a)(1) of this section shall not be made that 36 SB361 13 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 would constitute an impairment of the covenants and obligations of an 1 industrial development authority in connection with bonds or other 2 certificates of indebtedness issued and outstanding by the industrial 3 development authority or that would constitute an event of default under any 4 indenture or similar instrument securing any indebtedness of an industrial 5 development authority. 6 (3) Any assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance, grant, or 7 donation, subject to the limitations specified, shall be upon such terms as 8 the industrial development authority involved may deem advisable. 9 (b) If the United States Government or the appropriate agency or 10 department of the United States Government should decide to undertake the 11 acquisition, construction, equipment, maintenance, or operation of any of the 12 properties and facilities of an industrial development authority and should 13 decide to acquire the lands and properties necessarily needed in connection 14 with it by condemnation or otherwise, the industrial development authority 15 may transfer and pay over to the United States Government or to the 16 appropriate agency of the United States Government such of the moneys 17 belonging to the industrial development authority as may be reasonably 18 required by the United States Government or the appropriate agency of the 19 United States Government to meet and pay the amount of judgments in 20 condemnation proceedings as may be rendered from time to time against the 21 United States Government or the appropriate agency of the United States 22 Government or as may be reasonably necessary to permit the United States 23 Government or the appropriate agency of the United States Government to 24 acquire and become possessed of such lands and properties as are reasonably 25 required for the acquisition, construction, and use of the properties and 26 facilities referred to in this section. 27 28 14-189-114. Local government assistance — Legislative determination. 29 (a)(1) It is determined by the General Assembly that the following are 30 necessary for and useful in the securing and developing of industry in the 31 State of Arkansas: 32 (A) Commerce and industrial parks; 33 (B) Research, technology, and development proving grounds 34 and facilities; 35 (C) Job training facilities, air cargo operations, depots 36 SB361 14 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 for military use, rail lines, rail transload operations, and short -line 1 railroads; 2 (D) All other qualifying economic development projects 3 under § 14-174-105; and 4 (E) The facilities authorized to be acquired, constructed, 5 reconstructed, extended, equipped, or improved by an industrial development 6 authority under this chapter. 7 (2) Therefore, an industrial development authority may contract 8 with the local governments represented on the board of directors of the 9 industrial development authority for the local governments to make available 10 the proceeds of bonds issued under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 62, or 11 prior amendments to the Arkansas Constitution repealed by Arkansas 12 Constitution, Amendment 62, to the industrial development authority for the 13 purpose of financially assisting the industrial development authority to 14 accomplish the purposes of this chapter consistent with Arkansas 15 Constitution, Amendment 62, or prior amendments to the Arkansas Constitution 16 repealed by Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 62. 17 (b)(1) In addition, local governments may use and make available to an 18 industrial development authority, by way of donation, loan, or otherwise, any 19 available revenues for the purpose of financially assisting the industrial 20 development authority to accomplish the purposes of this chapter. 21 (2) Revenues made available under subdivision (b)(1) of this 22 section may be used by the industrial development authority either alone or 23 together with any other available funds and revenues for the accomplishment 24 of the authorized purposes of this chapter. 25 26 14-189-115. Authorization to borrow funds and issue bonds. 27 (a) An industrial development authority may enter into the necessary 28 contracts for the borrowing of funds, pursuant to this chapter, that the 29 industrial development authority may determine will be required to carry out 30 the purposes of this chapter. In this regard, an industrial development 31 authority may issue bonds and use the proceeds of the bonds for the 32 accomplishment of the purposes of this chapter, either alone or together with 33 other available funds and revenues. 34 (b) An industrial development authority also may issue revenue bonds 35 under this chapter for the purpose of applying a major portion of the 36 SB361 15 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 proceeds of the revenue bonds, alone or with other revenues that may be 1 pledged, to the acquisition of an investment contract or contracts at a rate 2 or rates of interest at least sufficient to provide for principal, premium, 3 if any, and interest on the revenue bonds, as due, in consideration of the 4 receipt of a portion of the proceeds for application by the industrial 5 development authority to one (1) or more of the purposes authorized by this 6 chapter. 7 8 14-189-116. Bonds — Authority to issue. 9 (a) This chapter is the sole authority required for the issuance of 10 bonds under this chapter and for the exercise of the powers of an industrial 11 development authority established under this chapter. 12 (b) A local government represented on the board of directors of an 13 industrial development authority need not authorize or approve the: 14 (1) Issuance of bonds under this chapter; or 15 (2) Exercise of any other powers by an industrial development 16 authority under this chapter. 17 18 14-189-117. Bonds — Covenants and agreements — Enforcement. 19 (a) All covenants and agreements entered into and made by an 20 industrial development authority shall be binding in all respects on the 21 industrial development authority and the members of the industrial 22 development authority and their successors from time to time in accordance 23 with the terms of the covenants and agreements. 24 (b) All of the terms of the covenants and agreements under subsection 25 (a) of this section shall be enforceable by mandamus or other appropriate 26 proceedings at law or in equity. 27 28 14-189-118. Bonds — Purposes. 29 Bonds may be issued for the acquisition, construction, and equipment of 30 facilities and the reconstructing, extending, improving, equipping, or 31 reequipping of facilities. 32 33 14-189-119. Bonds — Principal amount. 34 Each bond issued under this chapter shall be in the principal amount 35 sufficient, together with other available funds, for: 36 SB361 16 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (1) The acquisition, construction, and equipment of facilities 1 or the reconstruction, extension, improvement, equipment, or reequipment of 2 facilities; 3 (2) All costs of issuing the bonds; 4 (3) The amount necessary for a reserve, if deemed desirable by 5 the industrial development authority issuing the bonds; 6 (4) The amount necessary to provide for debt service on the 7 bonds until revenues for the payment of the bonds are available; and 8 (5) Any cost of whatever nature necessarily incidental to the 9 bonds. 10 11 14-189-120. Bonds — Resolution or trust indenture generally. 12 (a)(1) An industrial development authority issuing the bonds under 13 this chapter, by resolution or indenture, among other things, may control the 14 subsequent issuance of additional bonds and the priority, between and among 15 issues, of the pledge of revenues and of the mortgage lien, provide for the 16 use of surplus pledged revenues, and provide for the creation of special 17 trust funds to be maintained in such banks as the industrial development 18 authority issuing the bonds may select. 19 (2) The moneys in the special trust funds under subdivision 20 (a)(1) of this section shall be secured and disbursed as determined by the 21 industrial development authority. 22 (b) The special trust funds under subsection (a) of this section may 23 include without limitation a bond fund, a depreciation fund, an operation and 24 maintenance fund, and such reserve funds as the industrial development 25 authority issuing the bonds may determine to be in the best interests of the 26 industrial development authority in accomplishing the purposes of this 27 chapter. 28 29 14-189-121. Bonds — Authorizing resolution. 30 (a) Each issue of bonds under this chapter shall be authorized by 31 resolution of the industrial development authority issuing the bonds. 32 (b) Priority, between and among successive issues of bonds under this 33 chapter, of the pledge of revenues and mortgage lien may be controlled by the 34 resolutions authorizing the issuance of bonds under this chapter. 35 36 SB361 17 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 14-189-122. Bonds — Terms and conditions. 1 (a) Bonds issued under this chapter may: 2 (1) Be coupon bonds payable to bearer as the authorizing 3 resolution may provide; 4 (2) Be registered as to principal or as to principal and 5 interest, or be coupon bonds subject to registration as to principal or as to 6 principal and interest as the authorizing resolution may provide; 7 (3) Be in one (1) or more series as the authorizing resolution 8 may provide; 9 (4) Bear such date or dates as the authorizing resolution may 10 provide; 11 (5) Mature at such time or times, not exceeding thirty -five (35) 12 years from their respective dates as the authorizing resolution may provide; 13 (6) Bear interest at such rate or rates as the authorizing 14 resolution may provide; 15 (7) Be in such form as the authorizing resolution may provide; 16 (8) Be executed in such manner as the authorizing resolution may 17 provide; 18 (9) Be payable in such medium of payment at such place or places 19 as the authorizing resolution may provide; 20 (10) Be subject to such terms of redemption as the authorizing 21 resolution may provide; and 22 (11) Contain such terms, covenants, and conditions as the 23 authorizing resolution may provide, including without limitation those 24 pertaining to: 25 (A) The custody and application of the proceeds of the 26 bonds; 27 (B) The collection and disposition of revenues; 28 (C) The maintenance and investment of various funds and 29 reserves; 30 (D) The nature and extent of the security; 31 (E) The rights, duties, and obligations of the industrial 32 development authority issuing the bonds and of the trustee for the holders or 33 registered owners of the bonds; and 34 (F) The rights of the holders or registered owners of the 35 bonds. 36 SB361 18 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (b) Bonds issued under this chapter shall have all of the qualities of 1 negotiable instruments under the negotiable instruments laws of the state, 2 subject to the provisions of this section pertaining to registration. 3 4 14-189-123. Bonds — Trust indenture. 5 (a) Each resolution of an industrial development authority authorizing 6 the issuance of bonds under this chapter may provide for the execution of an 7 indenture defining the rights of the holders and registered owners of the 8 bonds and providing for the appointment of a trustee for the holders and 9 registered owners of the bonds. 10 (b) An indenture under subsection (a) of this section may control the 11 priority, between and among successive issues, of the pledge of revenues and 12 mortgage lien and may control any other terms, covenants, and conditions that 13 are deemed desirable, including without limitation, those pertaining to: 14 (1) The custody and application of the proceeds of the bonds; 15 (2) The collection and disposition of revenues; 16 (3) The maintenance of various funds and reserves; 17 (4) The nature and extent of the security; 18 (5) The rights, duties, and obligations of the industrial 19 development authority and the trustee for the holders and registered owners 20 of the bonds; and 21 (6) The rights of the holders and registered owners of the 22 bonds. 23 24 14-189-124. Bonds — Contents. 25 It shall be plainly stated on the face of each bond issued under this 26 chapter that the bond has been issued under the provisions of this chapter. 27 28 14-189-125. Bonds — Sale. 29 Bonds issued under this chapter may be sold for such price, including 30 without limitation sale at a discount, and in such manner as the industrial 31 development authority issuing the bonds may determine by resolution. 32 33 14-189-126. Bonds and coupons — Execution. 34 (a)(1) Bonds issued under this chapter may be executed by the 35 facsimile signature of the chair of the board of directors of the industrial 36 SB361 19 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 development authority issuing the bonds and by the manual signature of the 1 secretary of the board of directors of the industrial development authority 2 issuing the bonds and sealed with the seal of the industrial development 3 authority issuing the bonds. 4 (2) The coupons attached to the bonds may be executed by the 5 facsimile signature of the chair of the board of directors of the industrial 6 development authority issuing the bonds. 7 (b) In case any of the officers whose signatures appear on the bonds 8 or coupons shall cease to be such officers before the delivery of the bonds 9 or coupons, their signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for 10 all purposes. 11 12 14-189-127. Bonds — Conversion. 13 (a) Bonds issued under this chapter may be sold with the privilege of 14 conversion to an issue bearing a lower rate or rates of interest upon such 15 terms that the industrial development authority issuing the bonds receive no 16 less and pay no more than the industrial development authority would receive 17 and pay if the bonds were not converted. 18 (b) The conversion shall be subject to the approval of the industrial 19 development authority issuing the bonds. 20 21 14-189-128. Bonds — Issues. 22 There may be separate issues involving different facilities and there 23 may be successive issues involving the same facilities. 24 25 14-189-129. Bonds — General or special obligations. 26 Bonds issued under this chapter: 27 (1) Shall be general or special obligations only of the 28 industrial development authority issuing the bonds; and 29 (2) Do not constitute an indebtedness for which the faith and 30 credit of the state or the faith and credit of any municipality, county, or 31 other political subdivision of the state or any of their revenues are 32 pledged. 33 34 14-189-130. Bonds — Liability. 35 A member of an industrial development authority shall not be personally 36 SB361 20 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 liable on the bonds issued under this chapter or for any damages sustained by 1 anyone in connection with the contracts with the holders and registered 2 owners of the bonds or the construction, reconstruction, extension, 3 improvement, or equipping of buildings or facilities unless the member has 4 acted with a corrupt intent. 5 6 14-189-131. Bonds — Pledge of revenues. 7 (a) The principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, and trustee's 8 and paying agent's fees in connection with each issue of bonds issued by the 9 industrial development authority under this chapter shall be secured by a 10 pledge of, and shall be payable from, the revenues derived from the lands, 11 buildings, or facilities acquired, constructed, reconstructed, extended, 12 improved, or equipped, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of the bonds of 13 the particular issue. 14 (b) In addition, the industrial development authority issuing the 15 bonds may pledge to, and use for the payment of the principal of, premium, if 16 any, or interest on, and trustee's and paying agent's fees in connection with 17 a particular issue of bonds, revenues derived from other lands, buildings, or 18 facilities owned or held by the industrial development authority, and an 19 investment contract or contracts entered into by the industrial development 20 authority for the purpose of paying and securing the bonds, and any revenues 21 to be derived from the contract or contracts. 22 23 14-189-132. Refunding bonds. 24 (a)(1) Bonds may be issued under this chapter for the purpose of 25 refunding bonds previously issued under this chapter. 26 (2)(A) Refunding bonds may be issued alone or combined with 27 bonds issued under this chapter into a single issue for the purpose of 28 refunding outstanding bonds, acquiring lands, and constructing and equipping 29 buildings or facilities or reconstructing, extending, improving, or 30 reequipping existing buildings or facilities. 31 (B)(i) When refunding bonds are issued, the bonds may be 32 either sold or delivered in exchange for the outstanding bonds being 33 refunded. 34 (ii) If sold, the proceeds may either be applied to 35 the payment of the bonds being refunded, or the proceeds may be deposited in 36 SB361 21 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 escrow for the retirement of them. 1 (b)(1) All refunding bonds shall, in all respects, be authorized, 2 issued, and secured in the manner provided for other bonds issued under this 3 chapter and shall have all the attributes of such bonds. 4 (2) The resolution or indenture authorizing or securing 5 refunding bonds may provide that the bonds shall have the same priority of 6 lien on the revenues pledged for their payment and on the property mortgaged 7 as security for their payment as was enjoyed by the bonds refunded by them. 8 9 14-189-133. Bonds — Tax exemption. 10 (a) Bonds issued under this chapter are exempt from all state, county, 11 and municipal taxes. 12 (b) The exemption under this section includes without limitation 13 income, inheritance, and estate taxes. 14 15 14-189-134. Bonds as legal investment. 16 Bonds issued under this chapter shall be eligible to secure deposits of 17 all public funds and shall be legal for investment of bank, insurance 18 company, and retirement funds. 19 20 14-189-135. Bonds — Mortgage lien. 21 (a) The resolution or indenture referred may impose a foreclosable 22 mortgage lien upon the facilities acquired, constructed, reconstructed, 23 extended, equipped, or improved, in whole or in part, with the proceeds of 24 bonds issued under this chapter. 25 (b) The nature and extent of the mortgage lien under this section may 26 be controlled by the resolution or indenture, including without limitation 27 provisions pertaining to: 28 (1) The release of all or part of the land, buildings, or 29 facilities from the mortgage lien; and 30 (2) The priority of the mortgage lien in the event of successive 31 bond issues as authorized by this chapter. 32 (c) The resolution or indenture authorizing or securing the bonds may 33 authorize any holder or registered owner of bonds issued under the provisions 34 of this chapter or a trustee on behalf of all holders and registered owners, 35 either at law or in equity, to enforce the mortgage lien and, by proper suit, 36 SB361 22 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 to compel the performance of the duties of the officials of the industrial 1 development authority set forth in this chapter and set forth in the 2 resolution or indenture authorizing or securing the bonds. 3 4 14-189-136. Bonds — Default — Receiver. 5 (a) In the event of a default in the payment of the principal of or 6 interest on any bonds issued under this chapter, any court having 7 jurisdiction may appoint a receiver to take charge of the land, buildings, or 8 facilities upon which there is a mortgage lien securing the bonds. 9 (b) The receiver shall have the power to operate and maintain the 10 land, buildings, or facilities and to charge and collect rates or rents with 11 reference to them. These rents shall be sufficient to provide for the payment 12 of the principal of and interest on bonds, after providing for the payment of 13 any costs of receivership and operating expenses of the land, buildings, or 14 facilities, and to apply the income and revenues derived from them in 15 conformity with this chapter and the resolution or indenture authorizing or 16 securing the bonds. 17 (c) When the default has been cured, the receivership shall be ended 18 and the properties returned to the industrial development authority issuing 19 the bonds. 20 (d) The relief afforded by this section is in addition and 21 supplemental to the remedies that may be afforded the trustee for the 22 bondholders and the bondholders in the resolution or indenture authorizing or 23 securing the bonds and shall be so granted and administered as to accord full 24 recognition to priority rights of bondholders as to the pledge of revenues 25 from, and the mortgage lien on, the land, buildings, or facilities as 26 specified in and fixed by the resolution or indenture authorizing or securing 27 successive bond issues. 28 29 SECTION 2. Arkansas Code Title 14, Chapter 164, Subchapter 7 is 30 amended to read as follows: 31 14-164-701. Legislative intent. 32 (a) It is declared and confirmed that the securing and developing of 33 industry is vital to the economic welfare of the state and its people. To 34 this end, it is necessary that maximum flexibility be given to the Arkansas 35 Development Finance Authority and to the counties , and municipalities, and 36 SB361 23 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 industrial development authorities organized under the Industrial Development 1 Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., in the state in their 2 efforts to retain and expand existing industrial facilities and locate new 3 industrial facilities. This task involves the opportunity for the full 4 utilization of the benefits of financing industrial facilities under Arkansas 5 Constitution, Amendment 49 [repealed], Amendment 62, or prior amendments to 6 the Arkansas Constitution repealed by Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 62, 7 and §§ 14-164-201 — 14-164-206, 14-164-208 — 14-164-224, the Industrial 8 Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., § 14-267-101 et 9 seq., §§ 15-5-101 — 15-5-105, 15-5-207, § 15-5-301 et seq., and the Arkansas 10 Development Finance Authority Bond Guaranty Act of 1985, § 15 -5-401 et seq., 11 including the exemption from ad valorem taxation of all industrial facilities 12 that were exempt under Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, § 5, as interpreted 13 by the Supreme Court in Wayland v. Snapp, 232 Ark. 57, 334 S.W.2d 633 (1960). 14 (b) While concerns using industrial bond financing should be 15 encouraged to make payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes, and that is declared 16 to be the general policy of the General Assembly, the final determination of 17 whether these payments are to be made and, if made, in what amounts should be 18 negotiated and contracted by the counties , or municipalities, or industrial 19 development authorities in the state and by the industrial concerns involved 20 under § 14-164-704. 21 22 14-164-702. Applicability. 23 (a) Pursuant to the findings and declarations of the state in § 14 -24 164-701, it is found and declared that not only are the industrial facilities 25 owned by a municipality, county, industrial development authority organized 26 under the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et 27 seq., or the Arkansas Development Finance Authority financed with bonds 28 issued under §§ 14-164-201 — 14-164-206, 14-164-208 — 14-164-224, the 29 Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., § 14-30 267-101 et seq., §§ 15-5-101 — 15-5-105, 15-5-207, § 15-5-301 et seq., and 31 the Arkansas Development Finance Authority Bond Guaranty Act of 1985, § 15 -5-32 401 et seq., to be exempt from ad valorem taxation, but the interest of a 33 lessee or of a purchaser under a contract for sale of industrial facilities 34 that are so exempt are also exempt from ad valorem taxation. To this end, the 35 interest of a lessee or of a purchaser is intangible personal property for 36 SB361 24 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 purposes of ad valorem taxation. This finding and declaration is made under 1 the authority granted to the General Assembly by and in implementation of the 2 provisions and purposes of Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 57. 3 (b) The findings and declarations made in § 14 -164-701 and the policy 4 declared in this section apply to all existing industrial facilities and to 5 all future industrial facilities involved in Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 6 49 [repealed], Amendment 62, or prior amendments to the Arkansas Constitution 7 repealed by Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 62, §§ 14-164-201 — 14-164-206, 8 14-164-208 — 14-164-224, the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion 9 Act, § 14-189-101 et seq., § 14-267-101 et seq., §§ 15-5-101 — 15-5-105, 15-10 5-207, § 15-5-301 et seq., and the Arkansas Development Finance Authority 11 Bond Guaranty Act of 1985, § 15 -5-401 et seq., financings, and to all 12 existing and future interests in leases or purchase contracts pertaining to 13 these industrial facilities. 14 15 14-164-703. Payments in lieu of taxes. 16 (a) If the Arkansas Development Finance Authority or a county , or 17 municipality, or industrial development authority organized under the 18 Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., in 19 the state and a lessee under a lease or a purchaser under a contract for sale 20 enter into an agreement for payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes, each 21 agreement shall provide, or under this subchapter shall be interpreted as 22 providing, that all in -lieu-of-taxes payments shall be distributed to the 23 local political subdivisions that would have received ad valorem tax payments 24 on the industrial facilities if the interest involved had not been exempt 25 from ad valorem taxes in the proportions that the millage levied by each 26 affected local political subdivision bears to the millage levied by all 27 affected political subdivisions, unless all such local political 28 subdivisions, including without limitation the affected school district or 29 districts, shall otherwise agree. 30 (b) This section does not affect the rights or obligations of any of 31 the parties to an agreement under this subchapter that exists on the date of 32 enactment of this subchapter providing for payments in lieu of ad valorem 33 taxes. 34 35 14-164-704. Sale of property. 36 SB361 25 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (a)(1)(A) When the Arkansas Development Finance Authority or a 1 municipality, or county, industrial development authority organized under the 2 Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., in 3 the state enters into a lease of property owned by the authority Arkansas 4 Development Finance Authority , a municipality, or a county, or an industrial 5 development authority or enters into a contract for sale of property by the 6 authority Arkansas Development Finance Authority , a municipality, or a 7 county, or an industrial development authority to a private for-profit entity 8 under this subchapter or any other law or the Arkansas Constitution for the 9 purpose of securing and developing industry, the lease or contract for sale 10 shall, except as otherwise provided in this section, include an obligation 11 that the lessee or purchaser make payments in lieu of property taxes in an 12 amount as negotiated between the parties except the aggregate amount of the 13 payments during the initial term of the lease or contract for sale shall be 14 not less than thirty -five percent (35%) of the aggregate amount of ad valorem 15 taxes that would be paid if the property were on the tax rolls, unless the 16 Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission and the Chief Fiscal 17 Officer of the State approve a lesser amount. 18 (B) If the authority Arkansas Development Finance 19 Authority is the owner of the property, there shall be a separate agreement 20 for payment in lieu of taxes among the authority Arkansas Development Finance 21 Authority, the lessee or purchaser, the county in which the industrial 22 facilities are located, and, if applicable, the municipality in which the 23 industrial facilities are located. 24 (2)(A) The aggregate amount of ad valorem taxes that would be 25 paid if the property were on the tax rolls during the initial term of the 26 lease or contract for sale may be determined based on: 27 (i) The millage and assessment rates in effect at 28 the time the obligation to make payments in lieu of property taxes is entered 29 into; 30 (ii) The projected installed costs of the taxable 31 real and personal property subject to or to be subject to the lease or 32 contract for sale, which may be evidenced by an affidavit of an authorized 33 officer of the private for -profit entity; and 34 (iii) Depreciation guidelines for personal property 35 published by the Assessment Coordination Division. 36 SB361 26 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (B) The aggregate amount determined under this subdivision 1 (a)(2) shall be adjusted based on the actual installed costs of the taxable 2 real and personal property at the time the lease or contract for sale is 3 entered into or the time of completion of the project subject to the lease or 4 contract for sale, whichever is later. 5 (3) In cases in which the municipality , or county, or industrial 6 development authority is the lessor or seller, the obligation may be 7 contained in a separate agreement at the option of the parties to the lease 8 or contract for sale. 9 (4)(A)(i) For agreements entered into on or after September 1, 10 2023, the lessee or purchaser shall provide a copy of the agreement for 11 payment in lieu of taxes under this subsection to the county assessor, 12 including a description of all real and personal property that is subject to 13 the agreement for payment in lieu of taxes. 14 (ii) This section does not require a lessee or 15 purchaser to provide any information that the lessee or purchaser in good 16 faith considers to be a trade secret, proprietary information, or other 17 information that, if disclosed, would give an advantage to competitors. 18 (B)(i) Payments in lieu of ad valorem taxes under this 19 subsection shall be billed by the county collector to the lessee or purchaser 20 or their respective designees. 21 (ii) Payments made to the county collector for 22 disbursement by the county treasurer shall be distributed to the respective 23 taxing entities at the same time and in the same manner that ad valorem taxes 24 are disbursed as provided by law. 25 (b) Before a meeting of municipal officials , or county officials, 26 officers of the industrial development authority, or officials of the 27 authority Arkansas Development Finance Authority in which action may be taken 28 regarding approval of in -lieu-of-tax payments, the authority Arkansas 29 Development Finance Authority , municipality, or county, or industrial 30 development authority shall give at least ten (10) days' notice of the date, 31 time, and place of the meeting to the: 32 (1) Superintendent of each school district in which all or any 33 part of the property that is subject to the lease or contract of sale is 34 located; 35 (2) Chief Fiscal Officer of the State; and 36 SB361 27 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 (3) County assessor, county tax collector, and county treasurer 1 of the county in which the property is located. 2 (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section do not apply to: 3 (1) An agreement existing before July 1, 2001; 4 (2) An agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2001, under a 5 memorandum of intent or agreement to issue bonds authorized by a municipality 6 or county before July 1, 2001; 7 (3) An agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2001, related 8 to a project covered by a financial incentive proposal from the Arkansas 9 Economic Development Commission, or by resolution of the governing body of a 10 municipality or a county designating the project by name for the purposes of 11 this exemption, dated before July 1, 2001; 12 (4) A reissue or refinancing of bonds that are subject to an 13 existing in-lieu-of-tax agreement; and 14 (5) A lease or contract for sale with a qualified manufacturer 15 of steel as defined in § 26 -52-901 or in Acts 2001, No. 541, entered into 16 before June 30, 2009. 17 18 SECTION 3. Arkansas Code § 14 -233-102(6), concerning the definition of 19 "district" with respect to the Joint County Municipal Solid Waste Disposal 20 Act, is amended to read as follows: 21 (6) “District” means an entity established pursuant to § 14 -114-22 101 et seq., the Interstate Watershed Cooperation Act, § 14 -115-101 et seq., 23 The Regional Water Distribution District Act, § 14 -116-101 et seq., the 24 Arkansas Irrigation, Drainage, and Watershed Improvement District Act of 25 1949, § 14-117-101 et seq., § 14-118-101 et seq., The Water Improvement 26 District Accounting Law of 1973, § 14 -119-101 et seq., § 14-120-101 et seq., 27 § 14-121-101 et seq., § 14-122-101 et seq., § 14-123-201 et seq., § 14-124-28 101 et seq., the Conservation Districts Law, § 14 -125-101 et seq., the 29 Central Business Improvement District Act, § 14 -184-101 et seq., the 30 Metropolitan Port Authority Act of 1961, § 14 -185-101 et seq., § 14-186-101 31 et seq., § 14-187-101 et seq., the Rural Development Authority Act, § 14 -188-32 101 et seq., the Industrial Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-33 101 et seq., § 14-249-101 et seq., the Wastewater Treatment Districts Act, § 34 14-250-101 et seq., and § 14 -251-101 et seq.; 35 36 SB361 28 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 SECTION 4. Arkansas Code § 15 -11-211 is amended to read as follows: 1 15-11-211. Disposal of railroad track material. 2 (a) The State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission and the 3 Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism are authorized to may dispose of 4 rail and other railroad track material by gift or contract to a regional 5 intermodal facilities authority organized pursuant to the Regional Intermodal 6 Facilities Act, § 14 -143-101 et seq., a metropolitan port authority organized 7 pursuant to the Metropolitan Port Authority Act of 1961, § 14 -185-101 et 8 seq., an industrial development authority organized under the Industrial 9 Development Authorities Expansion Act, § 14 -189-101 et seq., or a planning 10 and development district recognized by § 14 -166-202. 11 (b) A regional intermodal facilities authority, a metropolitan port 12 authority, an industrial development authority, or a planning and development 13 district may receive and acquire the property described in subsection (a) of 14 this section upon such terms and conditions acceptable to it and shall use 15 the property for railroad purposes in accordance with the power and authority 16 conferred by law. 17 (c) If a regional intermodal facilities authority, a metropolitan port 18 authority, an industrial development authority, or a planning and development 19 district subsequently sells the property described in subsection (a) of this 20 section, the net proceeds received from disposition of the property, after 21 deduction of all costs and expenses related thereto, shall be remitted to the 22 commission and the department. 23 24 SECTION 5. Arkansas Code § 27 -67-322(f)(1) and (2), concerning the 25 disposition of surplus rail or other railroad track material by the State 26 Highway Commission, are amended to read as follows: 27 (f)(1) The transfer of surplus rail and other railroad track material 28 purchased in part with federal transportation enhancement funds and granted 29 to the State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission or the Department of 30 Parks, Heritage, and Tourism, or both, by the State Highway Commission shall 31 not be subject to the procedures set forth in subsections (a) -(e) of this 32 section. 33 (2) Surplus rail and other track material described under this 34 subsection may be transferred by gift or contract to a regional intermodal 35 facilities authority, a metropolitan port authority, or a planning and 36 SB361 29 03/03/2025 3:22:26 PM CEB194 development district , or an industrial development authority . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36