AR HB1498

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund for various maintenance, renovation, equipping, construction, acquisition, improvement, upgrade, and repair of real property and facilities of the Arkansas Agriculture Department.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund for maintenance, renovation, equipping, professional services contracts for air tankers, construction, acquisition, improvement, upgrade, and repair related to agricultural disasters, including personal services and operational expenses.

Appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Improvement Fund and $60,000,000 from Bond Proceeds for construction of new office space, laboratories, and support facilities for the Department of Agriculture.

Appropriates $847,200 from the General Improvement Fund for grants to maintain, renovate, equip, construct, acquire, improve, upgrade, and repair real property and facilities relating to County and District Fairs.

Appropriates $13,800,000 from the General Improvement Fund as a grant or low interest loan to the Arkansas Agriculture Department - Plant Board to pay debts associated with the Boll Weevil Suppression and Eradication Act.

Effective July 1, 2017 with an emergency clause declaring the funds essential to agency operations.