An act TO DESIGNATE THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION AS THE 10 CUSTODIAN OF ALL PROPERTY AND THE DISBURSING AGENT OF 11 ALL FUNDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST, the official text

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

1 State of Arkansas              A Bill
2 95th General Assembly

3 Regular Session, 2025                                            SENATE BILL 280

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5 By: Senator Irvin

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8                             For An Act To Be Entitled

9   AN ACT TO DESIGNATE THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION AS THE

10  CUSTODIAN OF ALL PROPERTY AND THE DISBURSING AGENT OF

11  ALL FUNDS OF THE OFFICE OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST; AND

12  FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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15                               Subtitle

16                       TO DESIGNATE THE OIL AND GAS COMMISSION

17                       AS THE CUSTODIAN OF ALL PROPERTY AND THE

18                       DISBURSING AGENT OF ALL FUNDS OF THE

19                       OFFICE OF THE STATE GEOLOGIST.

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

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23  SECTION 1. Arkansas Code � 15-55-204 is amended to read as follows:

24  15-55-204. State Geologist.

25  (a)(1) The State Geologist shall be appointed by and serve at the

26 pleasure of the Governor.

27  (2) The State Geologist shall report to the Director of

28 Production and Conservation and the Secretary of the Department of Energy and

29 Environment.

30  (b) The State Geologist shall:

31  (1) Be be charged with the duty of administering the provisions

32 of this subchapter, the rules and orders established under this subchapter,

33 performing services requested by the director, and administering specified

34 provisions of Title 15, Chapter 71, and rules and orders established under

35 Title 15, Chapter 71; and

36  (2) Be custodian of all property held in the name of the Office

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                                                                SB280

1 of the State Geologist, and shall be, ex officio, in consultation with the

2 director and the secretary, the disbursing agent of all funds available for

3 its use.

4       (c) The State Geologist may delegate his or her functions, powers, and

5 duties as he or she may deem desirable and necessary for the effective and

6 efficient operation of the office Office of State Geologist.

7       (d) In addition to other duties and functions prescribed for the State

8 Geologist, he or she shall advise the director, the secretary, the Governor,

9 and the General Assembly, on all geological matters concerning the state.

10      (e) The director shall be the:

11          (1) Custodian of all property held in the name of the office;

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13          (2) Disbursing agent, in consultation with the secretary, of all

14 funds available for the office's use.

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