Those charting the march of sustainability through Arkansas Legislature noted two significant developments in February: the introduction of SB 516, which would enable the creation of property assessed energy improvement districts, and the radical amendment of HB 1027 which has been transformed from the "Sustainable Energy-Efficient Home Program" to the "Property Assessed Energy-Efficient Home Improvement District Act."
Otherwise, unfortunately, not much happened at all. Here's a summary of the inaction:
HB1027 was revamped from the "Sustainable Energy-Efficient Home Program" to the "Property Assessed Energy-Efficient Home Improvement District Act," but still awaiting action from the Joint Committee on Energy, as is HB1050, The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Financing Act.
HB 1036 and 1037, which provide for tax credits and exemptions for the purchase of renewable resource equipment, and HB 1118, the Arkansas Central Business Improvement District Rehabilitation and Development Investment Tax Credit Act, are still awaiting action from the House Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
HB 1043, the Reusable Shopping Bag Act, is - you guessed it - still awaiting action from the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor.
SB 516, the Property Assessed Clean Energy Act, is the newest addition to the bunch. It is headed on to Senate Committee on Insurance and Commerce but it's on the deferred agenda.
The Arkansas SustainaBlawg will continue to track the progress of these bills. Stay tuned!
