Environmental Bill Summary
ENERGY EFFICIENCY PACKAGE
- HB1903 – Cash – Energy Efficiency Performance Standards Act of 2009
This bill will require the PSC to expand existing electric and gas utility programs that help make homes and businesses more efficient, make free or low-cost energy audits for all Arkansans, provide incentives for insulation and weatherization and create jobs by expanding businesses involved in energy efficiency.
Referred to Interim Study.
- HB1851 – Webb – Provide Renewable Energy Incentives
Failed to pass House Insurance and Commerce Committee.
- HB1663 – Webb – Lead By Example: Make Government More Efficient
Passed.
- SB584 – Help State Agencies Make Cost Saving Improvements
This bill will provide low-cost financing to be used to retrofit state government and school facilities and remove legal barriers to the funding that would make them more energy efficient.
Failed to pass Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee.
- SB440 – Reauthorization of Legislative Task Force on Sustainable Building Design & Practices
This bill will allow the work of the Task Force to continue. Its mission is to review, discuss and advise on issues related to sustainable building design.
Passed.
- HB1902 – Autocycles/ Electric Car Bill
This bill will amend the Arkansas motorcycle code to allow these vehicles on the streets to be regulated as cars and not motorcycles.
Passed – ACT 636.
- HB2008 – Webb – Methane Gas Recovery
This bill will give a tax credit to encourage the recovery and use of landfill methane gas.
Referred to Interim study.
SUPPORTED
Priority: HB1577 – Lindsey – Encourages donation of wetlands for conservation purposes. Limits the benefits a donor can receive to one riparian or wetland tax credit a year.
Passed – ACT 351.
HB2273 – Webb – Home efficiency revolving loan fund.
Referred to Interim study.
HB2260 – Webb – Updates building codes.
Passed – ACT 1196.
HB2230 – Webb – provides tax incentives for windmill component manufacturers.
Passed – ACT 736.
HB2078 – Webb – assists residents with energy audits and weatherization.
Referred to Interim study.
HB2077 – Webb – to allow a tax credit for contractors that increase energy efficiency in newly constructed homes.
Referred to Interim study.
HB1746 – J. Edwards – to create a task force on water source protection
Passed – ACT 1177.
HB1968 – Webb - Improve rules against conflicts of interest in voting and lobbying on state boards and commissions.
Failed in the House.
SJR6 – Broadway – would allow local and state government to issue bonds to pay for making building more energy efficient, to be paid off with the energy savings.
Was not recommended
HJR1004 – Cheatham – to remove interest rate limits was recommended by the Committee, and was amended to include a section on energy efficiency bonds.
OPPOSED
HB 1026 will require that a majority of the members of the Oil and Gas Commission be experienced in the development, production and transportation of oil and gas.
Passed – ACT 389.
HB1131 – Ragland – will repeal the Energy Conservation Endorsement Act of 1977
Withdrawn by the author.
SJR11 – T. Smith – removes the supervision and reduction of the authority of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and places it under the state legislature and Governor's office.
Was not recommended.
