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Senate committee advances bill that would let XNA seek detachment and taxing authority over local objections
Summary
The City, County & Local Affairs Committee advanced Senate Bill 414 after lengthy testimony from airport officials, local representatives and residents. Supporters say the measure creates negotiating parity for the Northwest Arkansas National Airport authority; opponents say it would allow an unelected taxing commission to levy sales taxes without local votes.
Senator Jim Petty, sponsor of Senate Bill 414, closed debate and the City, County & Local Affairs Committee voted to advance the bill after extensive testimony from airport officials, community members and elected representatives.
The bill, as explained during committee, creates a statutory process for an airport authority to seek detachment (de‑annexation) and to pursue formation of a taxing commission that could levy certain sales taxes to support airport operations and debt repayment. Petty said the measure is intended to give a regional airport authority negotiating power "so we will be on equal footing" with an annexing city and allow discussions to be meaningful.
Representative Hawk, speaking in opposition, told the committee that if SB 414 passes it "could be one of the very last public…
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