Arkansans to Decide Public Works Bond Issue on November 2026 Ballot

by Kristin Higgins - May 30, 2025

In addition to referring three constitutional amendments to voters in November 2026, legislators also voted to ask Arkansans next year to approve up to $500 million in General Obligation bonds for water-related public works projects.

Act 578 of 2025 establishes the process the state would follow before bonds could be issued, limitations on how much could be sold at one time, and the types of projects that could be funded with money raised from selling bonds. The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas voters approve all General Obligation bonds because a bond issue is pledging the full faith and credit of the state to the repayment of the bond debt. 

If approved, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, which is now part of the Department of Agriculture, could issue bonds "to finance and refinance" the development of water, waste disposal, pollution control, pollution control, abatement and prevention, drainage, irrigation, flood control, and wetlands and aquatic resources projects.

Voters approved a similar bond issue proposal in 2008.

Bonds are certificates of debt used by states, cities, counties or other government entities to finance large projects, such as roads, schools or sewer systems. They require a dedicated revenue stream. Bonds are paid off over a long period of time like how a person finances and pays a home mortgage.

The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission regularly issues grants and loans to communities for various water projects using federal and state funds.