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Several New State Laws Took Effect July 28

On Wednesday, July 28th, a large number of new state laws took effect, including new laws related to the composition of the Arkansas State Plant Board and the process by which appointments are made for the Plant Board. Following a state supreme court ruling earlier this year, 9 Plant Board members were removed from the board due to an appointment process that allowed for the represented industry trade organization to "elect" individuals to serve. The new law, which took effect on July 28th, adds two new row crop farmers to the Plant Board and changes the appointment process for the various industry trade organizations to nominate at least two prospective nominees and allows for the Governor to make appointments based on the nominations provided.

The Plant Board has not held a meeting since the supreme court ruling due to a lack of quorum. It's unclear how long it will take for new appointments to be made by the governor.

An additional law that went into effect was the enhancement to the Water Conservation and Development Act, which provides enhanced tax credits for on-farm investments for land leveling, tailwater recovery systems, surface water reservoirs, and irrigation efficiency technology. Primary changes include increases to the value of each tax credit available, a doubling of the tax credits available to claim each year from $9,000 to $18,000, an expansion of areas for enhanced tax credit cost share per project to include counties contiguous to critical groundwater areas, a universal timeline for claiming credits of up to 15 years, and an extension of the time to complete project from 3 years to 5 years.

More below:

New Plant Board Law (Act 361)
2-16-206

New Water Conservation & Development Tax Credit Law (Act 875 & Act 563)
26-51-1001 et seq.

https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/natural-resources/divisions/water-management/tax-credits/

https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/title_14.pdf