Governor Sanders joined by First Gentleman, ADPHT Secretary Mike Mills, Parks Director Lewis, and Legislators
Governor Sanders signed legislation at Pinnacle Mountain State Park on Thursday in an outdoor ceremony. The 12 pieces of legislation were focused on amending and updating current laws affecting Arkansas’s state parks and the tourism divisions of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Some key changes include:
SB472 will allow the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption at state parks even in dry counties without obtaining a permit from the alcoholic beverage control division. Arkansas State Parks first began selling alcoholic beverages in the Lodge at Mount Magazine in 2006 through the use of private club licenses. Since then, the parks have added alcoholic beverage sales in the lodges at DeGray Lake Resort, Queen Wilhelmina, and Petit Jean State Parks plus the Ridges of Village Creek Golf Course at Village Creek State Park. This would allow alcohol sales at the Ozark Folk Center State Park in Stone County, a dry county. Bryan Sanders said the law will allow alcohol to be sold at large events at state parks and by state and privately-owned restaurants.
SB464 as mentioned by First Gentleman Bryan Sanders at the signing, “The Director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, 17 in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Parks, Heritage, and 18 Tourism, shall establish no more than four (4) Natural State Initiative 19 Opportunity Zones.” The legislation goes on, “The Natural State Initiative Opportunity Zones shall be located within or no more than one-eighth (1/8th 21 ) of a mile outside the 22 boundaries of a state park, a cultural or historic site, or a cultural or 23 educational center.” While the state parks have allowed private sector concessionaires to work within parks for such things as horseback riding at three parks, running the kiddie train at Queen Wilhelmina, a high ropes course at Ozark Folk Center, etc., this could allow much larger operations in and around the park. DeGray Lake Resort Lodge and Restaurant were managed by a private sector business in the 1970s.
SB362 makes some changes in the State Parks, Recreation and Travel Commission (SPRTC) which focuses on the Parks and Tourism Divisions including changing the makeup of the commission dropping the requirement of four members based in the media industries, and removing the one historian and one arts and culture position. They also increased the number of at-large positions to five. Another change is the elimination of the emeritus commissioners.
SB560 makes changes in the “Arkansas FUN Grant” (Funding Use for Nature) that provides funding for projects that improve outdoor recreational opportunities in the state, such as trails, playgrounds, and park amenities. This legislation city recipients from those with a population of 2500 or less to ones with 7500 or less and also removed the limitation of $10,000.
SB498 consists of updating language to previous legislation that allows for the construction of natural surface trails in Arkansas State Parks. The original legislation was instrumental to the construction of the Monument Trails.
Other new legislation includes:
SB461, to amend the Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit Act; and to amend the amount of the Arkansas Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit.
SB462, to extend the application period for the Arkansas Major Historic Rehabilitation Income Tax Credit Act.
SB558, to amend the law concerning public works projects by the department of parks, heritage, and tourism.
SB559, to amend the definition of “design professional contract” in relation to the procurement of professional and consultant services contracts.
SB497, to amend the Arkansas Procurement Law; and to exempt certain commodities and services under the Arkansas Procurement Law.
SB557, to amend the Arkansas Environmental Quality Act of 1973; and to amend the membership of the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission.
HB1783, to amend the Arkansas Franchise Practices Act.
