TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE ARKANSAS FORESTRY COMMISSION; AND TO AMEND THE LAWS RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES.

New boundary rules for Arkansas fire districts

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture replaces the State Forestry Commission as the agency that recommends fire district boundary changes. Districts can request recommendations in writing for overlapping boundaries, areas next to places without fire service, or districts sharing a border. Districts sharing a border need agreement among affected districts or good cause for a change. These rules cover nonprofit fire protection groups, volunteer and rural fire department corporations, fire protection districts, suburban fire improvement districts, and county-created fire service districts. The Department must tell the requesting district whether it will prepare a recommendation. After a recommendation, the district must petition the county court where the area lies within 30 days and attach the recommendation. The court must schedule a hearing, with notice published in a county newspaper at least once, at least one week beforehand. The court can accept the recommendation, keep existing boundaries, or order a different change it finds fair and proper. Any change requires a legal boundary description and map in the court order, plus a new fire district map. These rules supplement existing district-creation rules.