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Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson issued a news release and announced in an October 3rd press briefing the proposed consolidation of Cabinet-level agencies from 42 to 15.
The Governor described this action as the “first comprehensive effort to trim state government since 1972.”
Several Arkansas Environmental/Energy/Natural Resource agencies would be consolidated into a “Department of Energy and Environment” (“Department”). The Department would encompass:
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Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”)
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Arkansas Public Service Commission
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Arkansas Pollution, Control, and Ecology Commission
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Arkansas Oil and Gas Commission and Board
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Arkansas Geological Survey
The following bodies are listed as subunits under ADEQ in the Department, which include:
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Committee on Petroleum Storage Tanks
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Nutrient Water Quality Trading Advisory Panel
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Arkansas Marketing Board for Recyclables
The Forestry Commission and Arkansas Natural Resources Commission would be consolidated with the Agriculture Board, State Plant Board, and Livestock & Poultry Commission into a “Department of Agriculture.”
The effects of the proposed consolidation are stated to include:
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Improve the delivery of services to Arkansas taxpayers by breaking down silos within state government
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Improve management control throughout state government through the creation of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services
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Allow agencies to maintain their independent services, where appropriate
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Create savings for the state and taxpayers beginning in the FY 2021 budget through lease and rent savings, shared services, and a more responsive management approach
A copy of the news release with links to the proposed reorganization chart and guide can be found here.
