Natural Resources Commission Water Bonds
This measure would authorize the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue state general obligation bonds under the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025. Bond proceeds would finance and refinance water, waste disposal, water pollution control, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects, through loans or grants to local entities and other persons. The bonds would be secured by the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas, and issuance in each two-year period would require a plan submitted to the Governor and the Governor's approval.
A yes vote means
A yes vote authorizes the Commission to issue up to $500 million in state general obligation bonds for the listed water and related projects, subject to the limits and approval process in the act.
A no vote means
A no vote does not authorize the Commission to issue these general obligation bonds.
Key points
- 1Total principal amount of bonds may not exceed $500,000,000.
- 2No more than $165,000,000 of the total may be issued to finance irrigation facilities.
- 3Without prior approval of the General Assembly, no more than $60,000,000 may be issued in any two-year 'bond biennium' beginning July 1 of each odd-numbered year, starting July 1, 2027.
- 4Before issuing bonds in a biennium, the Commission must submit a written plan to the Governor, who consults the Chief Fiscal Officer and the Joint Budget Committee or Legislative Council and may approve by proclamation or decline.
- 5Each bond series must mature within 35 years; debt service is paid from general revenues of the state under the Revenue Stabilization Law, with the bonds backed by the state's full faith and credit.
Official Arkansas Secretary of State / voter-guide content.