Arkansas House Bill HB1351

Arkansas 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/6/23
• Report Pass: 2/9/23
• Engrossed: 2/13/23
• Refer: 2/13/23
• Report Pass: 2/27/23
• Enrolled: 3/1/23
• Chaptered: 3/6/23
• Passed: 3/6/23

Caption

To Clarify The Status Of Personal Property Lease By Governmental Bodies For Licensure Purposes.

Impact

The passage of HB1351 will likely streamline the licensure process for governmental entities utilizing leased vehicles, providing them with clear guidelines on how to qualify these vehicles as governmental property. The legal amendments proposed by the bill will modify existing Arkansas Code concerning license plate validity, ensuring that leased vehicles used exclusively in governmental business can display special license plates. This change may improve operational efficiency for local governments managing vehicles through leases, which has implications for local governance and fiscal responsibility.

Summary

House Bill 1351 aims to clarify the status of personal property leased by governmental bodies for licensure purposes in the state of Arkansas. The bill specifically addresses vehicles that are leased by counties and cities for a duration of twelve months or more, allowing these vehicles to qualify as property of the government body in question. This provision enables them to display special license plates, which represent a marked distinction between personal and public assets in terms of licensure and vehicle identification.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB1351 appears to be largely positive, given the unanimous support it received during voting, with no recorded opposition. The bill's clear benefit to local governments is recognized, as it provides a framework for licensing that can simplify administrative processes. Stakeholders such as local officials and governmental bodies would likely view this regulation as a necessary legal clarification, helping them better manage their assets and streamline vehicle registrations.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support, potential points of contention could arise regarding the implications of classifying leased vehicles as government property. Questions may be raised regarding taxation, liability, and accountability of vehicles under public lease. However, given that there were no opposing votes against the bill during its passage, it indicates that no significant contention arose in the legislative discussions leading up to the bill's approval. In essence, HB1351 functions as a technical correction to existing law rather than a major shift in policy.