An act TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MILITARY TO 10 ENTER INTO PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS, the official text

Stricken language would be deleted from and underlined language would be added to present law.

1 State of Arkansas         As Engrossed: H3/6/25 H3/18/25
2 95th General Assembly
                                     A Bill

3 Regular Session, 2025                                         HOUSE BILL 1526

4

5 By: Representatives Painter, Ray

6 By: Senator Crowell

7

8                                   For An Act To Be Entitled

9               AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF THE MILITARY TO

10              ENTER INTO PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS; TO AMEND THE

11              LAW CONCERNING GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF

12              THE MILITARY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

13

14

15                                  Subtitle

16                       TO AUTHORIZE THE DEPARTMENT OF THE

17                       MILITARY TO ENTER INTO PUBLIC-PRIVATE

18                       PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW

19                       CONCERNING GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE

20                       DEPARTMENT OF THE MILITARY.

21

22 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS:

23

24  SECTION 1. Arkansas Code Title 12, Chapter 60, Subchapter 1, is

25 amended to add an additional section to read as follows:

26  12-60-105. Public-private partnerships and other forms of support --

27 Definition.

28  (a) As used in this section, "public-private partnership" means an

29 agreement between the Department of the Military and a private entity.

30  (b) The Secretary of the Department of the Military, subject to

31 promulgated rules, may:

32              (1)(A) Enter into a public-private partnership to facilitate the

33 activities of the Department of the Military or the Arkansas National Guard

34 for recruiting and retention.

35                       (B) A public-private partnership under this section is

36 subject to the requirements and limitations of this section and all other

    *ZRC017*                                                    03-18-2025 10:28:47 ZRC017
    As Engrossed: H3/6/25 H3/18/25                                          HB1526

1 laws, procedures, and rules to which the Department of the Military or the

2 Arkansas National Guard are subject;

3             (2) Accept voluntary services from a private entity to

4 facilitate recruiting and retention; and

5             (3) Accept, hold, administer, and use personal property or

6 services from a private entity for the purpose of facilitating recruiting and

7 retention.

8   (c) The Secretary of the Department of the Military shall:

9             (1) Not accept or use personal property or voluntary services

10 from a private entity if the acceptance or use of personal property or

11 voluntary services would compromise the integrity or the appearance of

12 integrity of:

13                (A) A program of the Department of the Military;

14                (B) A program of the Arkansas National Guard; or

15                (C) An individual involved with a program of the

16 Department of the Military or the Arkansas National Guard; and

17            (2) Promulgate rules to implement this section, including without

18 limitation rules regarding the establishment and implementation of a public-

19 private partnership.

20  (d)(1) Personal property accepted under this section may be used by

21 the Department of the Military.

22            (2) Services accepted under this section may be performed

23 without further specific authorization in law.

24  (e) An agreement for a public-private partnership under this section

25 shall be presented to the Legislative Council or, if the General Assembly is

26 in session, to the Joint Budget Committee, for:

27            (1) Reporting if the total value of the personnel services or

28 property received by the Department of the Military or the Arkansas National

29 Guard under the agreement is more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) but

30 less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in one (1) year or the total

31 projected value of the personnel services and property, including any

32 amendments or possible extensions, is under three hundred fifty thousand

33 dollars ($350,000); and

34            (2) Review if the total value of the personnel services and

35 property received by the Department of the Military or the Arkansas National

36 Guard under the agreement is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more in one

                                    2               03-18-2025 10:28:47 ZRC017
    As Engrossed: H3/6/25 H3/18/25              HB1526

1 (1) year or the total projected value of the personnel services and property,

2 including any amendments or possible extensions, is at least three hundred

3 fifty thousand dollars ($350,000).

4                                   /s/Painter

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

                                      3         03-18-2025 10:28:47 ZRC017