§ 22-3-901. Title

This subchapter shall be referred to and may be cited as the “Arkansas Justice Building Act”.

§ 22-3-902. Definitions

As used in this subchapter: (1) “Arkansas Justice Building” means any building constructed or purchased and renovated through the issuance of bonds under § 22-3-908 for the purpose of housing any of the agencies of the Arkansas judiciary as described in § 22-3-923(b)(1); and (2) “Construction” means the initial construction and equipment of the Arkansas […]

§ 22-3-903. Construction

(a) This subchapter shall be liberally construed to accomplish the intent and purposes thereof and shall be the sole authority required for the accomplishment of its purposes. To this end, it shall not be necessary to comply with general provisions of other laws dealing with public facilities, their acquisition, construction, leasing, encumbering, or disposition. (b) […]

§ 22-3-905. Duties and powers of Building Authority Division generally

It shall be the function, power, and duty of the Building Authority Division to: (1) Equip the Arkansas Justice Building and any extensions thereof; (2) Have exclusive jurisdiction over the operation of the building, including, without limiting the generality of this grant, the execution of lease agreements covering the leasing of space in the building […]

§ 22-3-906. Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services

(a) The Secretary of the Department of Transformation and Shared Services shall be the custodian of all property held in the name of the Building Authority Division, shall be its disbursing agent and executive officer, and shall administer the provisions of this subchapter and the rules and orders established thereunder. (b) The Secretary of the […]

§ 22-3-907. Financing authority of Building Authority Division

The Building Authority Division is authorized and empowered to enter into the necessary contracts for the borrowing of all funds that it determines will be required in connection with the financing of the Arkansas Justice Building or the construction of extensions, additions, or improvements thereto. The cost of construction may include architectural, engineering, legal, and […]

§ 22-3-908. Bonds — Issuance and terms

(a) In evidence of loans of funds, the Arkansas Development Finance Authority is authorized and empowered to issue its bonds at one (1) time or in series from time to time, as provided in this section, and to use the proceeds thereof, together with other available funds, for defraying the costs of accomplishing the construction […]

§ 22-3-909. Bonds — Trust indenture

The authorizing resolution may provide for the execution by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority with a bank or trust company within or without the State of Arkansas of a trust indenture which may contain any terms, covenants, and conditions that are deemed desirable by the authority, including, without limitation, those pertaining to the maintenance of […]

§ 22-3-910. Bonds — Sale and execution

(a) (1) The bonds shall be sold at public sale on sealed bids. (2) Notice of the sale shall be published one (1) time a week for at least two (2) consecutive weeks in a newspaper published in the City of Little Rock, and having a general circulation throughout the State of Arkansas, with the […]

§ 22-3-911. Bonds — Pledge of revenues — Restrictions

(a) The bonds and interest thereon shall be payable solely from and secured by a pledge of the gross revenues in the Justice Building Fund, which revenues are specifically declared to be cash funds, restricted in their use, and dedicated solely for the purposes set forth in this subchapter. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority is […]

§ 22-3-912. Bonds — Actions for enforcement

Any covenants and agreements entered into by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority shall be binding in all respects upon the authority and its successors in accordance with the terms of those covenants and agreements, and all of the provisions thereof shall be enforceable by appropriate proceedings at law or in equity or otherwise.

§ 22-3-913. Bonds — Tax exemptions

Bonds issued under the provisions of this subchapter shall be exempt from all taxes, state, county, and municipal. This exemption shall include income taxation and inheritance taxation.

§ 22-3-914. Refunding bonds — Issuance

(a) The Arkansas Development Finance Authority may issue bonds under this subchapter for the purpose of refunding any obligation of the authority issued under this subchapter at a rate or rates of interest not exceeding the maximum rate otherwise authorized under this subchapter. The authority may authorize and deliver a single issue of bonds under […]

§ 22-3-915. Investment by Arkansas retirement systems

The board of trustees of any retirement system created by the General Assembly may, in its discretion, invest its funds in the bonds of the Arkansas Development Finance Authority issued under the provisions of this subchapter.

§ 22-3-916. Audit of accounts — Reports

The agency of the state authorized by law to audit the records and accounts of the various state agencies is authorized and directed to audit the records and accounts of the Building Authority Division and to furnish a copy of the report thereof to the division and to the trustee for the bondholders.

§ 22-3-917. Employment of architect — Fees

(a) (1) The Building Authority Division may employ an architect to prepare plans, specifications, and estimates of cost for the construction of the Arkansas Justice Building and to supervise and inspect the construction. (2) The division and the architect shall consult with the members of the Supreme Court concerning the plans and specifications for the […]

§ 22-3-918. Notice for bids for construction — Bonds — Execution of contracts

(a) (1) After the Building Authority Division has approved the plans and specifications prepared by the architect, it shall proceed to advertise for bids for the construction of the Arkansas Justice Building. (2) The notice shall be published one (1) time each week for not less than three (3) consecutive weeks in one (1) or […]

§ 22-3-923. Allocation of space — Legislative findings and determination — Purpose and intent

(a) (1) It is found and determined by the General Assembly that: (A) The Arkansas Justice Building was constructed primarily to house the higher appellate courts and that other agencies were permitted to occupy portions of the building only because the space was not needed by the courts at that time; (B) Since construction of […]

§ 22-3-924. Legislative intent

It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals shall not be required to pay any rental fees for space utilized in the Arkansas Justice Building.