TO CONDUCT A STUDY RELATED TO CRITICAL MINERALS.

Senate Bill 645 directs the Arkansas General Assembly to conduct a study related to critical minerals, with a specific focus on lithium recovery projects. The study will evaluate Arkansas's competitiveness in attracting these projects and associated manufacturing activities. It will assess potential challenges such as state and local taxes, permit fees, regulatory burdens, and infrastructure needs like rail, roads, water, and electricity. The study will also examine workforce availability and training programs to support the lithium industry. The ultimate goal is to provide recommendations to enhance Arkansas’s attractiveness for investment in lithium recovery and value-added manufacturing.