E.O. 24-09: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROVIDE RELIEF PURSUANT TO THE EMERGENCY DECLARED IN EXECUTIVE ORDER 24-07 

WHEREAS: On May 24, 2024, severe storms, flooding, and tornadoes began in Arkansas, causing continuing danger, hardship, and suffering; 

WHEREAS: Adverse circumstances have been brought to bear upon citizens and public properties within the State of Arkansas and certain political subdivisions require assistance from the state to recover from these losses; 

WHEREAS: On May 26, 2024, by Executive Order 24-07, a regional emergency was declared as a result of the severe weather outbreak, pursuant to the Emergency Services Act, codified at Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et. seq; 

WHEREAS: Ark. Code Ann. § 12-75-114(e)(1) authorizes the Governor to suspend any regulatory statutes if compliance with those statutes would delay action in coping with the declared emergency; 

WHEREAS: Strict compliance with certain statutes would hinder necessary action in coping with the emergency in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties; and 

WHEREAS: There is good cause for relief to be extended to Arkansans residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties as a result of the ongoing regional emergency. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SARAH HUCKABEE SANDERS, acting under the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim: 

1. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-26-201(a)(2) requiring the county assessors of Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties to designate persons or properties not listed for assessment by May 31 as delinquent in his or her records are hereby suspended through June 30, 2024. 

2. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 26-26-201(a)(1) imposing a ten percent (10%) penalty of all taxes due on all persons and property delinquent in assessment are hereby suspended for taxpayers residing in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties through June 30, 2024. 

3. The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration is hereby ordered to extend the deadline under Ark. Code Ann. § 26-51-913(a)(2) to make a quarterly estimated income tax payment from between the date of this order and July 31, 2024, for those citizens and businesses located in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties to August 31, 2024. 

4. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. §§ 27-16-805 and 27-16-806 requiring payment of a fee for a duplicate driver’s license, instruction permit, or identification card are hereby suspended for citizens who reside in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties from the date of this order through August 31, 2024. 

5. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 27-14-705(e) requiring payment of a $10.00 fee for expedited title processing service are hereby suspended for affected citizens who reside in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties from the date of this order through August 31, 2024. 

6. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. §§ 26-18-508 and 26-52-510(a)(4) assessing interest and penalty for failure to timely register a vehicle are hereby suspended for citizens who reside in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties from the date of this order through August 31, 2024. 

7. The provisions of Ark. Code Ann. § 27-14-1004(a) assessing penalty for failure to timely register a vehicle or renew a vehicle registration are hereby suspended for citizens who reside in Baxter, Benton, Boone, Carroll, Fulton, Grant, Greene, Madison, Marion, Nevada, Randolph, Sevier, and Sharp counties from the date of this order through August 31, 2024. 

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and cause the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 30th day of May, in the year of our Lord 2024.