HB1121
To Repeal The Law Concerning The Transfer Of Tax-forfeited Lands To State Institutions.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill, House Bill 1121, proposes to repeal the existing law in Arkansas concerning the transfer of tax-forfeited lands to state institutions. Currently, the Commissioner of State Lands is authorized to transfer such lands to state departments, agencies, institutions, counties, cities, or school districts. This transfer can occur upon application, detailing the proposed use, duration, and maintenance plan for the land. The Commissioner has the discretion to accept, modify, or disallow these applications, prioritizing the best interests of the state and its citizens. Deeds issued under this existing law may include restrictive covenants, and if the governmental unit no longer needs the land, it reverts to the state. The bill would eliminate this established process for transferring tax-forfeited lands to governmental entities for a nominal fee. All prior deeds granted under this law would be confirmed, and outstanding tax debts would be stayed while the property is held by a governmental unit.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of the repeal of this law would be the State of Arkansas itself, specifically the entities that currently manage tax-forfeited lands, such as the Commissioner of State Lands. By repealing the law, the state would retain full control over these lands rather than transferring them to other governmental units. This could potentially lead to increased revenue for the state through future sales or other dispositions of these lands. State institutions, counties, cities, and school districts that might have previously benefited from acquiring tax-forfeited lands for public use at a minimal cost would no longer have this avenue available.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most directly and negatively impacted by the repeal of this law would be the state departments, agencies, institutions, counties, cities, and school districts that currently utilize or could potentially utilize tax-forfeited lands. These entities relied on the existing statute to acquire property for public purposes with minimal financial outlay. The repeal would eliminate this mechanism, forcing them to seek alternative, potentially more expensive, methods to acquire necessary land or to discontinue projects that would have utilized such transferred properties.