AR HB1972

Amends Arkansas Code § 16-105-402 to define "owner" as any person with ownership and title of property, including governmental entities, and clarifies that courts must order nuisances to be enjoined, abated, and prevented when property is used for unlawful controlled substance activities.

Expands the list of property types subject to nuisance abatement to include abandoned governmental or municipal property and "any other property or structure" in addition to stores, warehouses, dwellings, buildings, boats, and airplanes.

Amends Arkansas Code § 16-105-403 to add "established neighborhood or community organization" as an entity with standing to bring nuisance abatement actions, defined as groups within 1,000 feet of the alleged nuisance with the purpose of benefiting community quality of life.

Adds the county attorney and Attorney General to the list of persons and entities authorized to bring nuisance abatement actions under § 16-105-403.

Amends Arkansas Code §§ 16-105-408 and 16-105-409 to allow established neighborhood or community organizations to file nuisance complaints with the same protections against dismissal for want of prosecution and potential cost liability as individual citizens and residents.