Bill > SB525

This bill amends Arkansas law to transfer the responsibility for municipal incorporation from county courts to the Secretary of State. The key provisions include reducing the number of required petition signatures from 200 to 75 or a majority of qualified voters, requiring the county clerk to verify petition signatures within 30 days and submit the verified petition to the Secretary of State, and establishing new requirements for incorporation hearings. The bill mandates that the Secretary of State publish notice of incorporation hearings on their website and evaluate proposed incorporations based on a new set of criteria, including a review of the proposed municipality's business plan for continuing essential services like police, fire, utilities, and trash services. The legislation also allows for incorporation of areas that cross county boundaries and gives the Secretary of State the authority to promulgate rules for implementing the municipal incorporation process. Additionally, the bill standardizes procedures for determining the effective date of incorporation and provides guidelines for handling potential legal challenges to incorporation orders.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb525&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R