Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.
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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly A Bill 2
Regular Session, 2025 SENATE BILL 645 3
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By: Senator Crowell 5
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For An Act To Be Entitled 8
AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NATURAL RESOURCES; 9
TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATED TO CRITICAL MINERALS; AND 10
FOR OTHER PURPOSES. 11
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Subtitle 14
TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATED TO CRITICAL 15
MINERALS. 16
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 18
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SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings — Study. 20
(a) The General Assembly finds that: 21
(1) Critical minerals are essential for various industries, 22
including without limitation energy, defense, and technology; 23
(2) Ensuring energy independence for the United States requires 24
a diversified approach, including without limitation supply chain 25
diversification and capital investment attractiveness in value -added 26
manufacturing; 27
(3) Lithium recovery projects are recognized as essential to the 28
continued growth and development of Arkansas's critical energy resources and 29
the prosperity of its citizens; 30
(4) Global demand for lithium is expected to quadruple by 2030, 31
necessitating proactive efforts to support domestic lithium production to 32
reduce reliance on foreign imports and bolster energy security; 33
(5) Encouraging lithium recovery will provide economic benefits 34
to Arkansas, attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the state’s 35
industrial and manufacturing base; 36 SB645
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(6) Reducing statutory and regulatory roadblocks, including 1
those related to state and local taxes, permit fees, payments, 2
infrastructure, and workforce development, will create an optimal economic 3
ecosystem to support lithium recovery and related industries; and 4
(7) Arkansas's first -mover advantage is being threatened by an 5
increase of lithium exploration and development opportunities in Louisiana, 6
Texas, and other states where policymakers are enacting incentives and taking 7
steps to provide regulatory certainty. 8
(b)(1) The General Assembly shall conduct a study to evaluate the 9
state’s national and global competitiveness in attracting lithium recovery 10
projects and related value -added manufacturing and supply -chain activities. 11
(2) The study required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section 12
shall: 13
(A) Assess the competitiveness of Arkansas using a matrix 14
consistent with factors utilized by companies engaged in lithium recovery and 15
related activities; 16
(B) Identify potential developmental impediments, 17
including without limitation state and local taxes, permit fees, payments, 18
regulatory burdens, and other government -induced or imposed activities; 19
(C) Evaluate infrastructure needs, including without 20
limitation rail, roads, water supply, and electricity transmission and 21
distribution necessary for lithium recovery and processing projects; 22
(D) Examine workforce availability and training programs 23
to ensure a skilled labor force to support the lithium industry; and 24
(E) Provide recommendations to enhance Arkansas’s 25
attractiveness for investment in lithium recovery and associated value -added 26
manufacturing. 27
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