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Panel approves bill letting counties sell surplus property via Internet
Summary
The committee passed SB 277 to allow counties to advertise and sell surplus property through Internet auctions (posted on a website for eight consecutive days) instead of or in addition to newspaper notices; sponsors said the change modernizes sales and corrects a drafting error.
The Senate City, County & Local Affairs Committee voted to pass Senate Bill 277, a measure that updates state law to permit counties and county officials to sell surplus property by Internet auction and to post sales on a county website for eight consecutive days while retaining proof of service for audit.
Sponsor Senator Hill introduced the bill as a three‑part technical update to the surplus‑property statute and asked Mark Whitmore of the Association of Arkansas Counties to explain the change. Whitmore traced the issue to a 2011 bill that authorized Internet sales but said a subsequent insertion had unintentionally created a requirement to also publish notices in a local newspaper; SB 277 clarifies the statute so counties can rely on Internet posting and retained proof of service.
Brandon Lisonbee, Polk County judge, told the committee that Internet listings reach a broader pool of buyers for specialized equipment and typically yield quicker sales and higher returns than local newspaper notices: "We'll get more money and, sell it quicker by putting it on the Internet," he said.
Committee members asked about additional low‑cost public‑notice options (for example courthouse postings or library notices) and the role of the quorum court in reviewing sales; witnesses said counties retain records and the quorum court is notified after sales are completed to confirm compliance.
The committee moved, seconded and approved the bill by voice vote.
