*Update: HB1681 is on the agenda for Senate Agri Tuesday, April 1st. Contact these Senate committee members and let them know what you think about handing a blank check to a group of unelected bureaucrats.
| AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | |||
| Chair | Senator Ronald Caldwell | ronald.caldwell@senate.ar.gov | 501-682-6107 |
| Vice Chair | Senator Matt Stone | matt.stone@senate.ar.gov | 870-818-0750 |
| Senator Steve Crowell | steve.crowell@senate.ar.gov | 870-557-3440 | |
| Senator Jonathan Dismang | dismang28@gmail.com | 501-766-8220 | |
| Senator Ben Gilmore | ben.gilmore@senate.ar.gov | 501-467-5952 | |
| Senator Jimmy Hickey, Jr | jimmy.hickey@senate.ar.gov | 870-772-4444 | |
| Senator Greg Leding | greg.leding@senate.ar.gov | 479-966-9201 | |
| Senator Jamie Scott | jamie.scott@senate.ar.gov | 501-398-2961 |
Does this feel like deja vu? Certainly seems that way.
Here we are, yet again this session, with another piece of legislation from elected officials who are proudly outsourcing their responsibilities to an unelected group of bureaucrats, offering them a blank check.
HB1681 grants the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) sweeping new powers and a massive budget boost—$50 million annually for the next decade, totaling $500 million. This funding comes with no oversight from the Governor or Legislature, effectively giving unchecked spending authority to a nine-member commission comprised of retirees, farmers, water well contractors, a pork industry professional, and a banker.
The Legislature overwhelmingly supported the bill—84 House sponsors (where it passed unanimously, see those House votes here) and 25 Senate sponsors—seemingly unaware that these commissioners are not state employees. They are essentially handing them a blank check for the next 10 years.
Yes, Arkansas does face a severe water and wastewater infrastructure problem, estimated at $13 billion over the next two decades. (As we’ve heard lawmakers repeatedly say, remember SB421?) However, this crisis stems from local officials failing to manage their systems properly, opting instead to rely on state and federal bailouts. This approach contradicts the state’s conservative principles, punishing responsible communities while rewarding mismanagement.
Act 605 of 2021 was designed to fix this issue by requiring rate studies and system maintenance. HB1701, aimed at wastewater systems and scheduled to be on the House floor Monday, is still awaiting passage. Instead of enforcing existing laws and improving accountability, HB1681 adds yet another financial assistance program—Arkansas already has nine—without any repayment obligations. This grant-based bailout does nothing to encourage responsible governance.
Rather than creating redundant programs, the Legislature should focus on consolidating existing ones and ensuring local systems are self-sustaining. Otherwise, Arkansas taxpayers will continue footing the bill.
