Arkansas voters will decide Tuesday whether to authorize up to $500 million in state bonds for water and wastewater improvements, drainage, flood control and other projects under Issue 4.
The proposal was created through legislation sponsored by Republican state Sen. Bart Hester and Republican state Rep. Howard Beaty and approved by the General Assembly in 2025. Unlike the other three statewide ballot measures being considered, Issue 4 would not amend the Arkansas Constitution.
What Issue 4 would authorize
If approved, the measure would allow the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission to issue general obligation bonds to finance or refinance projects involving water, waste disposal, water pollution control, pollution abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control and wetlands and aquatic resources.
- Total authorized borrowing: up to $500 million.
- Irrigation facilities: no more than $165 million.
- Borrowing without additional legislative approval: no more than $60 million during any two-year period.
The two-year limit would require prior approval from the General Assembly before the state could issue more than $60 million in bonds during that period. The measure would permit the commission to finance both new projects and the refinancing of existing obligations within the categories listed in the proposal.
Supporters cite infrastructure needs
Supporters say Arkansas communities need additional financing to maintain and replace aging water and wastewater systems. The Arkansas Rural Water Association’s chief executive officer, Chris Harris, said work on an updated state water plan indicates that addressing the needs of water and wastewater utilities could cost more than $20 billion.
“A lot of them are at the end of their lifespan and it’s going to take a massive amount of money to even begin to start replacing some of this,” Harris said.
Harris also serves as treasurer of the Committee for Water Infrastructure Now for Arkansas, a ballot question committee supporting Issue 4. The committee formed in March and has raised $83,000, with nearly half of that amount spent on polling, according to campaign finance reports. Water Infrastructure for AR also supports the measure.
Supporters have pointed to communities that have struggled to keep water systems operating, including Helena-West Helena, where residents have lost access to water. Opponents have raised concerns about borrowing money to pay for the projects and the obligations created by issuing general obligation bonds.
Issue 4 is one of four measures referred to voters by the Republican-controlled General Assembly. The other measures include proposals concerning elections and economic development districts. Issue 4 is the only one of the four that would not change the Arkansas Constitution.
