AR HB1297

Creates the Arkansas Military Heritage Protection Act as a new subchapter of Arkansas Code Title 22, Chapter 3, establishing protections for military monuments on public property.

Prohibits relocation, removal, alteration, renaming, rededication, or disturbance of monuments commemorating 17 specified military conflicts and operations, ranging from the French and Indian War through Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Allows entities controlling public property with monuments to petition the Arkansas History Commission for a waiver, which may be granted by majority vote at a regularly scheduled meeting with reasonable conditions to preserve the monument.

Exempts temporary exhibits and property under control of the State Highway Commission, Department of Parks and Tourism, and Department of Arkansas Heritage from the preservation requirements.

Establishes violation of the subchapter as a Class D Felony upon conviction.