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Committee clears technical fix to align Office of State Geologist with oil and gas commission
Summary
Senate Bill 280 corrects references created when Act 697 of 2023 moved the Arkansas Geological Survey into the Oil and Gas Commission and allows consolidation of assets.
The Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 280, a bill described by its sponsor as a technical correction to laws changed by Act 697 of 2023.
Senator Missy Irvin, District 24, said the bill “fixes a reference to that, which was missed in the last bill and allows the oil and gas commission to consolidate assets with the office of state geologists.” She told the committee Act 697 of 2023 abolished the Arkansas Geological Survey as a separate agency and placed the Office of the State Geologist within the Oil and Gas Commission.
No members of the public signed up to speak for or against the bill. Senator Gilmore moved the bill and Senator Crowell seconded; the committee voted to advance the measure on a voice vote with no opposition recorded.
Sponsor remarks and committee discussion focused on correcting statutory references and enabling administrative consolidation; the committee did not receive further substantive amendments or public testimony at the hearing.
