An act TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NATURAL RESOURCES, 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 645

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5 By: Senator Crowell

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8                        For An Act To Be Entitled

9   AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING NATURAL RESOURCES;

10  TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATED TO CRITICAL MINERALS; AND

11  FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

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14                                     Subtitle

15                       TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATED TO CRITICAL

16                       MINERALS.

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

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20  SECTION 1. DO NOT CODIFY. Legislative findings -- Study.

21  (a) The General Assembly finds that:

22  (1) Critical minerals are essential for various industries,

23 including without limitation energy, defense, and technology;

24  (2) Ensuring energy independence for the United States requires

25 a diversified approach, including without limitation supply chain

26 diversification and capital investment attractiveness in value-added

27 manufacturing;

28  (3) Lithium recovery projects are recognized as essential to the

29 continued growth and development of Arkansas's critical energy resources and

30 the prosperity of its citizens;

31  (4) Global demand for lithium is expected to quadruple by 2030,

32 necessitating proactive efforts to support domestic lithium production to

33 reduce reliance on foreign imports and bolster energy security;

34  (5) Encouraging lithium recovery will provide economic benefits

35 to Arkansas, attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen the state's

36 industrial and manufacturing base;

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                                                                              SB645

1          (6) Reducing statutory and regulatory roadblocks, including

2 those related to state and local taxes, permit fees, payments,

3 infrastructure, and workforce development, will create an optimal economic

4 ecosystem to support lithium recovery and related industries; and

5          (7) Arkansas's first-mover advantage is being threatened by an

6 increase of lithium exploration and development opportunities in Louisiana,

7 Texas, and other states where policymakers are enacting incentives and taking

8 steps to provide regulatory certainty.

9          (b)(1) The General Assembly shall conduct a study to evaluate the

10 state's national and global competitiveness in attracting lithium recovery

11 projects and related value-added manufacturing and supply-chain activities.

12         (2) The study required under subdivision (b)(1) of this section

13 shall:

14                 (A) Assess the competitiveness of Arkansas using a matrix

15 consistent with factors utilized by companies engaged in lithium recovery and

16 related activities;

17                 (B) Identify potential developmental impediments,

18 including without limitation state and local taxes, permit fees, payments,

19 regulatory burdens, and other government-induced or imposed activities;

20                 (C) Evaluate infrastructure needs, including without

21 limitation rail, roads, water supply, and electricity transmission and

22 distribution necessary for lithium recovery and processing projects;

23                 (D) Examine workforce availability and training programs

24 to ensure a skilled labor force to support the lithium industry; and

25                 (E) Provide recommendations to enhance Arkansas's

26 attractiveness for investment in lithium recovery and associated value-added

27 manufacturing.

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