Issue 4 - Issuing up to $500 Million in Water, Waste Disposal and Pollution Abatement Bonds
The Public Policy Center has provided neutral information on statewide ballot issues since 2004. The 2026 Arkansas Ballot Issue Voter Guide will be available online and at your county Cooperative Extension Service office this fall.
Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025
Shall the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission be authorized to issue general obligation bonds under the authority of the Arkansas Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Facilities Financing Act of 2025, for the financing and refinancing of the development of water, waste disposal, water pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects to serve the citizens of the State of Arkansas, in total principal amount not to exceed five hundred million dollars ($500,000,000), with no more than one hundred sixty-five million dollars ($165,000,000) in total principal amount of such bonds to be issued to finance and refinance the development of irrigation facilities, in series from time to time in principal amounts not to exceed, without prior approval of the General Assembly, sixty million dollars ($60,000,000) in any two-year period beginning on July 1 of each odd-numbered year, which bonds shall be secured by a pledge of the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas?”
The Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives in April 2025 approved Act 578 of 2025, which authorizes the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue water, waste disposal and pollution abatement financing bonds, subject to the approval of voters.
The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas voters approve all General Obligation bonds. The bond issue is pledging the full faith and credit of the state to the repayment of the bonded indebtedness. The state’s citizens must vote to assume that debt responsibility.
Sen. Bart Hester of Cave Springs and Rep. Howard Beaty Jr. of Crossett
On Election Day, the ballot will show only the popular name and ballot title of this issue.
Every proposal has more text to it that further describes the proposed law. Read the complete text of Issue 4.
A FOR vote means you are in favor of allowing the state to pledge its future faith and credit as the basis for issuing new bonds to finance the development of water, waste disposal and pollution abatement facilities in Arkansas. The amount pledged cannot exceed $500 million or $60 million in any two-year period.
An AGAINST vote means you are not in favor of allowing the state to issue new water, waste disposal and pollution abatement bonds.
Filings with the Arkansas Ethics Commission
Groups that support or oppose ballot issues are required to register with the Arkansas Ethics Commission as a ballot or legislative question committee once they raise or spend a certain amount of money on their efforts. Visit the Commission's website to view these filings, which include names of people behind a group and how much money has been raised or spent.
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The Committee For Water Infrastructure Now (WIN) For Arkansas |
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