§ 12-28-103 - Cost impact statements. - Arkansas Statutes

12-28-103. Cost impact statements.

(a) Each of the following bills introduced in the General Assembly shall have a cost impact statement attached to the bill prior to the committee to which the bill is referred taking action in regard to the bill:

(1) Bills that affect inmate population patterns at facilities of the Department of Correction by imposing restrictions on inmate release or by increased intake into the department of inmates based on felony convictions; and

(2) Bills that affect programs or services of the department.

(b) In addition, copies of the cost impact statement shall be furnished on the desk of each member of the Senate and of the House of Representatives at least one (1) day prior to the date on which the bill is on third reading and debated for final passage in the respective houses.

(c) Cost impact statements required under this section shall be prepared, upon referral thereof by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, with respect to House of Representatives bills, and by the President of the Senate upon recommendation of the Senate Rules, Resolutions and Memorials Committee, with respect to Senate bills, at the time of introduction thereof, to:

(1) The Director of the Department of Correction who shall either personally prepare or cause appropriate officials of the department to prepare, a cost impact statement to be approved by the director before submission to the house in which the request was made; or

(2) Any other state agency that has information available upon which to base a cost impact statement.

(d) The cost impact statement shall be furnished to the Governor and to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall cause copies thereof to be prepared for distribution upon the desks of the members of the House of Representatives and Senate at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to consideration of any such bill by committee or twenty-four (24) hours prior to the bill's being called up for third reading and final passage.

(e) The cost impact statement shall be certified by the director or the director of the appropriate agency to which the bill is referred for preparation of an impact statement, and shall be returned and filed as required in this section within not more than five (5) days from the date of receipt thereof unless additional time in which to prepare the statement is granted by the requesting official.