(a)

1. (1) The Rural Services Division of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission is charged with assisting rural communities with a population of twenty thousand (20,000) and under.
2. (2) Established under Acts 1991, No. 302, and merged with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission under Acts 2015 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 8, the division assists local agencies in rural areas with information and technical assistance.
3. (3) Currently, more than eighty percent (80%) of Arkansans live in rural areas.

(b)

1. (1) The Arkansas Rural Development Commission is a group of citizens from rural Arkansas.
2. (2) Seven (7) of its members are appointed by the Governor, two (2) are appointed by the Senate President Pro Tempore, and two (2) are appointed by the Speaker of the House.
3. (3) Commissioners serve multiple-year terms and meet throughout the year to discuss rural issues that affect Arkansans.

(d)

1. (1) One focus of the division is to be a source of information for rural citizens and provide support services to rural communities.
2. (2) The division publishes a quarterly newsletter that covers rural policies and topics.
3. (3) The division also hosts an annual conference and local forums around the state throughout the course of the year.

(e)

1. (1) In 2015, the General Assembly passed Acts 2015, No. 371, which amended the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Education Grant program, hereafter known as the Game and Fish Wildlife Conservation Education Grant Program.
2. (2) This legislation transferred the administration of the program to the division.
3. (3) The program is a partnership between the division and the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission that converts portions of county fine money into grant funds for school conservation education programs.