Water resource bills signed into law
Governor signs water resource bills
SB 420, SB 421 and HB 1681 are now law.
Updated: 1:58 PM CDT Apr 23, 2025
Gov. Sarah Sanders signed three pieces of legislation related to the state’s water resources. Senate Bill 420, now Act 736, allows more private entities to convert to public water authorities, which would allow them to apply for additional state funding.House Bill 1681, now Act 812, establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program, which provides $25 million from interest earnings per year over the next three years to water and sewer facilities, with 20% earmarked for rural systems serving 1,200 people or fewer. Eighty percent will go to shovel-ready projects in cities with more than 1,200 people.Senate Bill 421, now Act 578, creates a ballot initiative for 2026 in the general election or a special election. If it is approved by voters, it will provide $500 million in water and wastewater project funding through 2043. Sanders said this will be paid for through loan repayments and with no increase to state general revenue. Arkansas’ existing bond authority is set to expire in 2027.
Gov. Sarah Sanders signed three pieces of legislation related to the state’s water resources.
Senate Bill 420, now Act 736, allows more private entities to convert to public water authorities, which would allow them to apply for additional state funding.
House Bill 1681, now Act 812, establishes the Water and Sewer Treatment Facilities Grant Program, which provides $25 million from interest earnings per year over the next three years to water and sewer facilities, with 20% earmarked for rural systems serving 1,200 people or fewer. Eighty percent will go to shovel-ready projects in cities with more than 1,200 people.
Senate Bill 421, now Act 578, creates a ballot initiative for 2026 in the general election or a special election. If it is approved by voters, it will provide $500 million in water and wastewater project funding through 2043. Sanders said this will be paid for through loan repayments and with no increase to state general revenue. Arkansas’ existing bond authority is set to expire in 2027.