AR HB1760

Amends Arkansas Code § 15-20-502 to make grammatical and technical corrections to language governing the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission's authority to establish rules and regulations for natural areas.

Changes the commission's authority from "shall have the authority to" to "may" promulgate rules and regulations for use and protection of natural areas.

Updates violation penalties to clarify that persons guilty of violating commission rules face an unclassified misdemeanor with fines of $25 to $250 and imprisonment of 10 to 30 days for each offense.

Modifies language regarding law enforcement citations and civil penalties, including clarifying that civil penalties of $500 or three times the value of damages (whichever is greater) shall be used to restore natural areas or secure preservation of similar areas.

Declares the act makes only technical, not substantive, changes to Arkansas Code and was approved March 24, 2017.