AR HB1649

Appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Rural Services for grants covering construction, repairs, equipment purchases, land acquisition, and administrative costs for water and wastewater projects, levee repair, flood control, fire protection services, and irrigation projects.

Appropriates $100,000 for matching grants to cities, counties, planning districts, and other eligible entities for land acquisition, improvements, construction, renovation, industrial site development, waterway projects, rail spur construction, road and highway improvements, environmental mitigation projects, and water and sewer system improvements.

Permits the Department of Rural Services to accept and use federal grants, donations, and unobligated cash income to supplement state funds for project financing, but prohibits use of maintenance and general operations funds for these appropriations.

Requires strict compliance with state purchasing laws, accounting procedures, revenue stabilization laws, and fiscal control regulations in disbursement of funds unless specifically exempted by law.

Declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2013, citing the constitutional prohibition on appropriations exceeding one year and the essential need for agency operations.