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Senate panel clears bill clarifying prescribed‑burn rules, training and liability
Summary
SB415 clarifies Arkansas law on prescribed burning, sets a negligence standard for liability, requires qualified burners and burn prescriptions, and allows a 100‑acre exemption for private landowners; witnesses raised concerns about training access and acreage thresholds.
The Senate Agriculture Committee approved SB415 after extended discussion about liability standards, training requirements and protections for private landowners.
Sen. Matt Stone, sponsor, said the bill removes ambiguity in existing law that has made liability insurance hard to obtain and hindered the use of prescribed fire. Attorney Justin Allen, representing forestry interests, told the committee the bill clarifies that negligence—rather than strict liability—will be the standard for damages arising from prescribed burns. Allen said that aligns Arkansas…
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