AR HB1045

Crop residue burns must be reported to the Department of Agriculture for approval before burning begins and must comply with the Arkansas Voluntary Smoke Management Guidelines for Row Crop Burning.

Crop residue burns are permitted in counties with burn bans unless the Forestry Division determines all burning is unsafe in that county.

Individuals conducting compliant burns are shielded from civil liability for fire damage or injury unless the claimant proves negligence by a preponderance of the evidence.

Civil penalties for non-compliant burns escalate from $25,000 for the first violation, to $50,000 for the second, to $75,000 for each subsequent violation.

Penalty decisions may be appealed under the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, and collected penalty funds go to the Agri Scholarship Program.