AR HB1692

Increases civil penalties for State Plant Board violations from a maximum of $1,000 to up to $25,000 if the board finds the violation is egregious and carries potential for significant off-target crop damage.

Maintains the existing $1,000 maximum penalty for standard violations in licensing proceedings under the Arkansas Plant Act of 1917.

Directs distribution of penalty moneys collected: penalties up to $1,000 continue current uses including funding the Arkansas State Plant Board Scholarship program.

For penalties exceeding $1,000, allocates the first $1,000 to the scholarship program and splits the remainder equally: 50% to the State Treasury General Revenue Fund Account and 50% to the Arkansas Agriculture Department Fund Account.

Restricts the 50% deposited to the Agriculture Department Fund to be used only for education and training of University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture employees and other division-developed programs.