AR SB603

Appropriates $8,000,000 total from the General Improvement Fund to eight regional economic development districts in Arkansas, with $1,000,000 allocated to each district.

Recipient districts include Northwest, North Central, Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Western, West Central, and Central Arkansas Economic Development Districts.

Exempts appropriations from existing program restrictions and allows new rules and regulations to be adopted to carry out the General Assembly's intent.

Permits recipient agencies to accept and use federal grants, donations, and unobligated funds to supplement state appropriations for project financing.

Effective July 1, 2015, with emergency clause declared due to constitutional prohibition on multi-year appropriations and essential need for agency operations.