Arkansas authorizes spending on well plugging and state geology programs

The Department of Energy and Environment may spend up to $12.5 million on the Oil and Gas Commission’s well-plugging program. The money covers expenses of the commission’s well-plugging program. Payments must come from the Abandoned and Orphaned Well Plugging Fund and cannot exceed available money. Spending must follow state purchasing, budgeting, and other financial rules. The law took effect July 1, 2026. This spending authority covers the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Oil and Gas Commission may spend up to $4,730,251 on operations and a separate $200,000 on refunds and reimbursements. Operations cover staff pay and listed programs, including pollution control and groundwater protection. Staffing is capped at 33 regular employees and six temporary or part-time employees. The operating budget comes from the Oil and Gas Commission Fund. The separate $200,000 refund budget comes from cash funds. Spending cannot exceed available money and must follow state financial rules. Temporary workers may be hired when needed, within the pay limits stated in the law. These spending and staffing limits apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.

The Office of the State Geologist may spend up to $1,979,876 on operations, with separate spending limits for mapping, research, map resale, and its museum. Office operations allow 20 regular employees and eight temporary workers. Mapping allows one regular employee and six temporary workers. Landslide and sinkhole research allows one regular employee and two temporary workers. Temporary positions may be part-time. The Oil and Gas Commission Fund pays for operations. The Geology Map Resale Revolving Fund pays up to $49,000 for map resale. Federal funds pay up to $191,862 for geologic mapping. Cash funds held in the State Treasury pay up to $241,369 for landslide and sinkhole research and $1,125 for the geology museum. Spending depends on available money and must follow state financial rules. Temporary workers may be hired when needed, within the law’s pay limits. These spending and staffing limits apply to the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027.