Issue 4: Water, Waste Disposal, and Pollution Abatement Bonds up to $500 Million
Source: arkansasonline.com
What does this measure do?
Supports: Environment and Public Health, Public Infrastructure
Lets the state borrow up to $500 million over time for water, sewer, pollution cleanup, drainage, irrigation, and flood-control projects, at most $60 million every two years without legislative approval. Taxpayers repay the bonds with interest from the state general fund over up to 35 years.
Proposed by: Arkansas General Assembly (Act 578 of 2025, Sen. Bart Hester and Rep. Howard Beaty Jr.)
Hester is a Cave Springs Republican who twice led the Senate as president pro tempore. Beaty is a Crossett Republican. They say water and sewer needs top $13 billion over 20 years.
Source: senate.arkansas.gov
A YES vote means
The state could borrow up to $500 million for water and sewer projects, repaid from the state budget.
A NO vote means
No new borrowing; the state relies on the remaining 2008 bond money and yearly budgets.
Sources: uaex.uada.edu · sos.arkansas.gov · ballotpedia.org
Source: uaex.uada.edu