Bills to combine state agencies pass House, Senate

Bills to combine several state agencies sailed through both the Arkansas Senate and House of Representatives on Wednesday.

Senate Bill 1, sponsored by state Sen. Jim Hendren, R-Gravette, passed unanimously, with 33 voting for the measure. House Bill 1001 by Rep. David Branscum, R-Marshall, passed the House 95-0.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson detailed last week an "efficiency" plan to merge several state agencies into others during a previous news conference about his agenda for the special legislative session.

The bills follow the governor's plan to shift the Department of Rural Services and the Arkansas Science and Technology Authority into the Economic Development Commission; the Division of Land Survey into the Arkansas Geographic Information Office; and the Arkansas Building Authority into the Department of Finance and Administration.

The move will eliminate positions through attrition, Hendren said while presenting his bill. Hutchinson previously acknowledged a "potential" for layoffs.

Hutchinson estimates combining the agencies will save $10 million over 5 years.

See Thursday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

Upcoming Events