Committee passes bill streamlining administration of pilot (payment‑in‑lieu) agreements

Senator Scott Flippo (District 23) and Lindsay French of the Association of Arkansas Counties presented HB 16 41, an assessor/administration package bill that streamlines payment‑in‑lieu‑of‑tax (pilot) agreements. French told the committee the bill requires businesses entering pilot agreements to provide a property description to the county assessor, directs the collector to bill the business for the agreed amount, and assigns the treasurer to distribute payments to taxing entities.

Sponsors said the bill is administrative and does not alter existing pilot agreements or payment amounts; it is agreed to with the State Chamber of Commerce and Nucor Steel. The committee had no questions and passed the bill by voice vote.

The bill will proceed from committee with a favorable recommendation.