Sponsor says SJR 5 would let water utilities run low-income assistance programs

Little Rock — Sponsors of SJR 5 told the Senate committee the amendment would permit water utilities to create customer-assistance programs for low-income households, similar to the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for electricity.

Senator Clark Tucker said Arkansas is currently the only state without a water-assistance program and that Article 12, Section 5 of the Arkansas Constitution prevents municipalities or counties from allocating money without full consideration. "So SJR 5 would permit this program," Tucker said, explaining the amendment would enable water utilities to administer assistance.

On questions from the chair, Tucker said other states allow utilities to set up and fund assistance programs locally and that the amendment is intended to allow utilities to implement comparable programs in Arkansas.

The committee took testimony but did not vote. Sponsors said they believe the change would permit utilities to design locally tailored assistance without requiring state appropriations.