AR SB549

Appropriates $1,000,000 to the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission from the General Improvement Fund for grants supporting water and wastewater projects, levee repair and maintenance, flood control and drainage projects, fire protection services, and irrigation projects.

Allows the Commission to accept and use federal grants, donations, and unobligated cash income to supplement state funds for project financing, but prohibits using maintenance and operations funds for these appropriated purposes.

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

Directs that fund disbursements must comply with stated reasons documented in budget manuals, agency requests, executive recommendations, and legislative council or joint budget committee records.

Declares an emergency effective date of July 1, 2015, stating that delaying implementation would cause irreparable harm to agency operations and essential governmental programs.