TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM ENACTING REGULATIONS IN A FLOOD-PRONE AREA THAT ARE MORE RESTRICTIVE THAN THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM IN CERTAIN INSTANCES.

Senate Bill 518 (SB 518) sought to limit the regulatory authority of local governments in Arkansas concerning flood-prone areas. The bill would have prohibited cities, towns, and counties from enacting land use regulations that are more restrictive than the specific guidelines of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for special flood hazard areas. Local governments could only adopt more restrictive measures if they provided compensation for any resulting decrease in the property's value. This bill directly affected local government's ability to set flood-related building and zoning codes.