To Amend The Law Concerning The Market Value Of Certain Surplus Property Acquired By The State Highway Commission.
Summary
HB1486 amends Arkansas law governing how certain surplus highway right-of-way property may be reacquired from the State Highway Commission. Under current law, if an entire right-of-way parcel is declared surplus, the former owner may reacquire it by refunding the original purchase price paid by the Commission. If only a remnant or partial portion of the original acquisition is declared surplus, the bill keeps the requirement that it be reacquired at market value at the time it is declared surplus.
The bill’s substantive change is to revise how that market value is determined for a remnant or partial parcel. Instead of being set by three appraisers, the value would be determined by two appraisers certified or licensed under Arkansas appraisal law. This narrows the appraisal process and reduces the number of appraisers involved in valuing surplus property reacquired from the highway agency.
Impact
HB1486 directly amends Arkansas Code § 27-67-322(c), affecting the State Highway Commission’s procedures for disposing of and allowing reacquisition of surplus right-of-way property. It changes the valuation mechanism for partial surplus parcels by reducing the appraisal panel from three to two licensed or certified appraisers, which may streamline valuation and potentially lower administrative costs or delay. The bill does not change the reacquisition rule for entire parcels, which remain available at the original acquisition price.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong bipartisan support and no recorded opposition: the bill passed the House 91-0 and the Senate 35-0 on third reading. There are no committee transcripts provided, but the unanimous votes suggest the measure was viewed as a technical or administrative adjustment rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No explicit contention is reflected in the provided materials. The only notable policy choice is the reduction from three appraisers to two for determining market value of remnant surplus property, which could matter to former property owners, the Highway Commission, and appraisal professionals if there were concerns about valuation accuracy or fairness. However, the unanimous votes indicate that any such concerns did not generate visible opposition in the recorded legislative action.