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Senate committee okays $300,000 seed transfer for statewide extra-large tire program
Summary
Lawmakers approved HB1362 to move $300,000 from an accumulated marketing fund to start an extra-large tire program aimed at farmers and construction entities; committee debated whether the Arkansas Environmental Federation had been consulted but passed the measure by voice vote.
The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee approved a one-time transfer of $300,000 to seed a statewide extra-large tire program intended to help farmers and construction operators pay to manage oversized tires.
Sponsor testimony said the Compliance Assistance Program Marketing Fund had accumulated unspent money over several years — about $390,000 in total — and that transferring $300,000 would leave roughly $90,000 in operating funds. Michael Grappet, chief program officer with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, identified himself for the record and said he would answer questions from the committee.
Senator Hickey noted she had received a text from the Arkansas Environmental Federation (AEF) asking that the committee hold action until their board could review the proposal. The sponsor and DEQ said the federation had been made aware previously and had not expressed concerns until the day of the meeting. The committee voted by voice to approve HB1362.
The bill’s sponsor described the transfer as a seed contribution to stand up a statewide program that would benefit farmers and construction entities by providing funding for collection or disposal of extra-large tires; the committee did not record a roll-call tally in committee.
