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Senate Bill 433 (“SB433”) has been filed which would abolish the Arkansas Geological Survey (“AGS”).

SB433 would transfer the authority and duties of the AGS to the Office of the State Geologist.

The Office of the State Geologist would be placed within the Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission.

AGS’s activities include the collection and disbursement of geological data. Such data can consist of:

• Geologic maps
• Historical data concerning resources
• Various data sets
  • Water
  • Fossil fuel
  • Mineral resources

The Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment had absorbed the AGS as part of the Transformation and Efficiencies Act of 2019.

SB433 provides that AGS’s duties, functions, records, personnel, property, appropriations, statutory powers, duties, functions, etc., would be transferred to the Office of State Geologist. Further, the bill makes clear that AGS’s abolishment does not affect the orders, rules, directives, registration, licensing, or standards made or promulgated by the AGS before the effective date of the Act.

SB433 has been referred to the Agriculture, Forestry & Economic Development Committee.

A copy of SB433 can be downloaded here.