AR SB796

Adds definitions for "major source construction," "NAAQS state implementation plan," "National Ambient Air Quality Standard," and "state implementation plan" to Arkansas air pollution law.

Grants the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality authority to develop and implement state implementation plans while retaining the Pollution Control and Ecology Commission's power to promulgate rules and regulations.

Establishes public notice and comment procedures requiring 30 calendar days for public input on proposed state implementation plans before submission to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Restricts the Department from mandating NAAQS-related measures on stationary sources until measures are included in an adopted state implementation plan submitted to the EPA, with limited exceptions for major source construction permitting.

Declares an emergency clause, finding that current state policy on implementing air quality standards through permitting is more stringent than federal and regional practices, thereby discouraging economic development projects.