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Committee expands and lowers thresholds for state opportunity zones around four state parks to spur outdoor businesses
Summary
House Bill 19‑23 would lower the investment threshold and expand zone boundaries for state opportunity zones created near four Arkansas state parks to encourage outdoor‑recreation businesses; the committee approved the change without public opposition during the hearing.
Senator Bart Hester and Katherine Andrews of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation presented House Bill 19‑23, a follow‑up to 2023 legislation that established four state (not federal) opportunity zones around Pinnacle Mountain, Queen Wilhelmina, Delta Heritage Trail and Petit Jean State Parks.
Andrews told the committee the program had received no applications under the earlier thresholds. The bill lowers the minimum investment threshold and increases the zone geography to make it easier for outdoor recreation businesses to qualify for income or sales‑and‑use tax credits. "We've received no applications for those zones," Andrews said, and businesses cited the high financial barrier.
Senators asked whether the change had a fiscal impact; Andrews said it did not because the program has yet to generate credits. No members of the public signed to speak for or against, and the committee voted to advance the bill.
