HB1441
To Amend The Law Concerning The Arkansas Coordinate System Of 1983.
AI-Generated Summary
This bill proposes to amend existing Arkansas law concerning the Arkansas Coordinate System of 1983. It aims to consolidate and clarify the state's official coordinate system, which is used for defining geographic positions. The bill designates the National Geodetic Survey's established system, based on the National Spatial Reference System, as the "Arkansas Plane Coordinate System 1983." It repeals existing statutes that created separate "North Zone" and "South Zone" designations and redefines them within the updated system. The bill also clarifies coordinate measurement units (feet and meters) and the conversion between them, specifying the use of the United States survey foot. Furthermore, it establishes specific parameters for the Lambert conformal projection used for both the North and South Zones. The bill also introduces a new section to address and supersede legacy Arkansas plane coordinate systems based on the North American Datum of 1983 and 1927, ensuring clarity and consistency moving forward. It details how existing and legacy systems are divided into zones and defines the specific counties included in each zone for both systems. Importantly, it clarifies that descriptions using the Arkansas Plane Coordinate System 1983 are supplemental to United States Public Land Survey descriptions and do not override them in case of conflict. Finally, it states that reliance on the Arkansas Plane Coordinate System 1983 is not mandatory for purchasers or mortgagees.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries of this bill would be land surveyors, engineers, geographers, and other professionals who rely on precise geographic positioning for their work within Arkansas. State agencies involved in land management, infrastructure development, and resource management would also benefit from a standardized and updated coordinate system. Developers, property owners, and legal professionals involved in real estate transactions and land use planning would gain from the clarity and updated standards for land descriptions. Ultimately, any entity or individual requiring accurate location data within the state for mapping, construction, or legal purposes stands to benefit from the bill's provisions.
Who Might Suffer?
The groups most likely to be negatively impacted by this bill are those who may need to update their systems, software, or practices to align with the newly defined or clarified Arkansas Plane Coordinate System 1983. This could include individuals or organizations utilizing older, legacy coordinate systems that are now superseded, requiring them to invest in data conversion or re-surveying. Small businesses or government entities with limited budgets for technological updates might face financial burdens. Additionally, any confusion or potential errors arising from the transition or implementation of the new standards, particularly if not clearly communicated or understood, could lead to short-term negative impacts for users who are slow to adapt.