reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 14-116-303 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-303. Members — Nomination and election

 (a)  (1)  (A) If a water district is composed of all or a portion of four (4) or more counties, then nominations for directors shall be upon a petition signed by at least fifty (50) qualified electors residing in the area of the district from which the director is to be elected, to be circulated for no longer than ninety (90) days.  (B) The petition under subdivision (a)(1)(A) of this section shall be filed with the county clerk during a one-week period ending at 12:00 noon ninety (90) days before the general election.    (2)  (A) If a water district is composed of all or a portion of less than four (4) counties, then nominations for directors shall be upon a petition signed by at least fifty (50) qualified electors, who shall consist of those electors residing in all or part of any precinct in the service area of the customers of the district from which the director is to be elected.  (B) The petition under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section shall be circulated for no longer than ninety (90) days and filed with the county clerk during a one-week period ending at 12:00 noon ninety (90) days before the general election.    (3) A water district shall file a service area map with the county clerk no later than January 31 before the general election.    (b) Election of the directors shall be held as a part of the general election and under the laws governing it.  (c) Any director shall be qualified to succeed himself or herself.
AR Code § 14-116-304 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-304. Members — Vacancy

 The directors shall fill any vacancy occurring on the board prior to the expiration of the term of any director by electing a substitute director to serve for the balance of the unexpired term.
AR Code § 14-116-305 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-305. Members — Oath

 (a) Each of the original directors and all directors elected thereafter shall take the oath of office required by Arkansas Constitution, Article 19, § 20, and shall also swear that he will not directly or indirectly be interested in any contract made by the board.  (b) Any director failing to take the oath within thirty (30) days after his appointment or election shall be deemed to have declined the appointment or election and his place shall be filled as other vacancies.  (c) All oaths of directors shall be executed in writing and filed in the office of the circuit clerk in the county where the petition is originally filed.
AR Code § 14-116-306 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-306. Members — Compensation

 The directors provided for, upon majority vote of the board, may receive the sum of no more than two hundred dollars ($200) each day as compensation for attending meetings of the board or any of its committees. However, not more than four hundred dollars ($400) shall be paid to any director for meetings held in any one (1) calendar month, together with the director's reasonable and necessary expenses.
AR Code § 14-116-307 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-307. Organization

 Immediately upon the appointment of the board of directors, the directors shall meet and organize and shall elect a president, vice president, and secretary-treasurer from their membership and shall adopt bylaws which shall govern their proceedings.
AR Code § 14-116-308 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-308. Meetings

 (a) Regular meetings of the board of directors shall be held quarterly in the office of the district on the day selected by the board.  (b) Notice of the meeting shall be mailed to each director at least five (5) days prior to the date of the meeting. Special meetings may be held at any time upon waiver of notice of the meeting by all directors or may be called by the president or by any two (2) directors at any time, provided that notice in writing signed by the persons calling any special meeting is mailed to each director at least five (5) days prior to the time fixed for a special meeting.  (c)  (1) A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  (2) In the absence of any of the duly elected officers of the district, a quorum at any meeting may select a director to act as officer pro tem.    (d)  (1) Each meeting of the board, whether regular or special, shall be open to the public.  (2) However, the board may conduct meetings in executive session as permitted under § 25-19-106.
AR Code § 14-116-309 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 3 - Board of Directors|§ 14-116-309. Powers and duties

 (a) All powers granted a water district created under this subchapter shall be executed by a board of directors.  (b) The board shall have the right, power, and authority to employ attorneys, agents, and personnel as it may deem necessary and to fix their compensation.
AR Code § 14-116-401 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-401. Exemption from jurisdiction of Arkansas Public Service Commission

 Water districts organized under this subchapter shall be exempt in any and all respects from the jurisdiction and control of the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
AR Code § 14-116-403 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-403. Appeal from district actions

 Any person aggrieved by the service furnished or rates charged by the water district shall have, as a matter of right, the right to petition the grievance from the decision or action of the water district, to the circuit court wherein the water district was formed. Upon the petition being filed, the circuit court shall hear the petition de novo and is empowered to make orders as necessary and proper in equity.
AR Code § 14-116-404 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-404. Revenues

 (a) Water districts formed pursuant to this subchapter shall be operated without profit, but the rates, fees, rent, or other charges for water and other facilities, supplies, equipment, or services furnished by the water district shall be sufficient at all times:  (1) To pay all operating and maintenance expenses necessary or desirable for the prudent conduct of its affairs and the principal of and interest on the obligations issued or assumed by the water district in the performance of the purposes for which it was organized; and  (2) For the creation of adequate reserves.    (b) The revenues of the water district shall be devoted, first, to the payment of operating and maintenance expenses and the principal and interest on outstanding obligations, and thereafter to reserves for improvements, new construction, depreciation, and contingencies as the board may from time to time prescribe.  (c) Revenues not required for the purposes set forth in subsection (b) of this section shall be returned from time to time to the customers of the water district on a pro rata basis, according to the amount of business done with each customer during the period for which the return is made, either in cash, in abatement of current charges for water, or otherwise as the board determines; but such return may be made by way of a general rate reduction to customers if the board so elects.
AR Code § 14-116-405 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-405. Tax exemption

 Water districts formed under this chapter shall be exempt from all excise taxes of whatsoever kind or nature, and further, shall be exempt from payment of assessments in any general or special taxing district levied upon the property of the water district, whether real, personal, or mixed.
AR Code § 14-116-406 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-406. Annexation of additional territory

 (a) Additional territory may be annexed to and embraced by a water district established and operating under this subchapter by petition to the circuit court in which the water district was originally established.  (b) The petition shall be prepared, filed, and proceedings had thereon in the same manner as is set out in this subchapter for original petitions praying the formation of a water district.
AR Code § 14-116-407 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 4 - Operation of Water Districts|§ 14-116-407. Contracts — Water district and United States

 The board is authorized to:   (1) Cooperate with the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof, hereinafter referred to as the “United States”, in the development of plans for the construction, operation, and maintenance of any facilities which the water district is authorized to construct, operate, and maintain;  (2) Negotiate a contract with the United States or give such assurance as may be required by the United States for the construction, operation, and maintenance of such facilities or any part thereof by the United States.  (A)  (i) The contract or assurance may provide for the payment by the water district to the United States of the agreed costs thereof in the form of construction charges, operation and maintenance charges, water storage rental, or service charges.  (ii) “Construction charges” may include the cost of works of improvement for any project addressing the purposes contained in § 14-116-102 and ancillary benefits derived therefrom, including, but not limited to, fish and wildlife, prevention of seepage on irrigated lands, prevention of erosion and sediment damages, and the conservation, development, utilization, and disposal of water.    (B) The contract or assurance may provide for the repayment of the various charges by the water district primarily or exclusively from revenue to be derived by the district from the sale under contract between the district and its water users from the district works, with payment to be made either in the form of agricultural products, cash, or, if an improvement project area has been created under § 14-116-501 et seq., § 14-116-601 et seq., or § 14-116-701 et seq., with revenues derived from assessments levied pursuant thereto.  (C) The contract or assurance may provide that the water district shall furnish lands, easements, and rights-of-way and that property so acquired by the district may be conveyed to the United States insofar as the property may be required for the construction, operation, and maintenance of works thereon by the United States for the benefit of the district.  (D) The contract or assurance may provide that the water district shall save and hold harmless the United States from any liability or damages due to or arising out of the construction, operation, and maintenance of any of the works.
AR Code § 14-116-503 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 5 - Improvement of Water Districts|§ 14-116-503. Expenses — Plan preparation, adoption, and approval

 All costs and expenses incurred in the preparation, adoption, and approval of an improvement plan shall be paid by the water district out of its general funds, but all such costs and expenses paid or otherwise incurred by the district, upon the approval of the improvement plan, shall be repaid to the general funds of the district out of the proceeds of the first taxes or other revenues collected by the district for carrying out the improvement plan; provided that nothing in this chapter shall authorize punitive assessments to be made against any landowner.
AR Code § 14-116-504 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 5 - Improvement of Water Districts|§ 14-116-504. Alteration of plans

 (a)  (1) The board of directors of the regional water distribution district may, at any time after the court has approved the improvement plan, make alterations in the plan and its works of improvement, provided such changes do not change the benefits of the improvement plan.  (2) Any such change in the improvement plan shall be filed with the court clerk.    (b) If alterations in the improvement plan would change the court-approved assessment of benefits and damages, the changed assessment must be submitted to the court for consideration according to the procedures established in this chapter; except that only owners of lands whose assessments are changed may object.
AR Code § 14-116-505 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 5 - Improvement of Water Districts|§ 14-116-505. Additional works of improvement

 After the work contemplated by the original improvement plan has been completed, the board of directors of the regional water distribution district may adopt and file with the court clerk a plan for additional works of improvement for the improvement project area, and the proceedings with respect to such additional plan, including the right of appeal, shall be the same insofar as may be practicable as those required in connection with the original plan; except that the petitions of the landowners shall not be required.
AR Code § 14-116-601 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-601. Assessment of benefits and damages

 (a) After the court issues an order approving the improvement plan, the assessor shall proceed to assess the land within the project area on the basis of benefits accruing to the land from the improvement plan.  (b)  (1) Taking into account available funding sources, and in the discretion of the district, the total tax levied against all individual and separate parcels of land within the project area shall be sufficient to pay up to the estimated cost of the improvement, all related costs, including, but not limited to, the interest, bond issuance, legal, accounting, appraisals, the debt issuance and related costs, and up to an additional twenty percent (20%) for unforeseen contingencies.  (2) The amount of interest which will accrue on notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness issued by a water district shall be included in and added to the taxes levied against the land in the project area, but the interest to accrue on the notes, bonds, or other evidences of indebtedness shall not be construed as a part of the costs of construction in determining whether the expenses and the costs of making the improvements exceed the assessment of benefits.    (c) The tax so levied shall be a lien upon the land within the improvement project area from the time that the tax is levied by the court and shall be entitled to preference over all demands, executions, encumbrances, or liens whensoever created. It shall continue until the tax and all related costs and expenses with penalties shall have been paid.  (d)  (1) A separate book for each improvement project area shall be maintained with respect to assessments of benefits on the basis of benefits accruing to the land from the improvement plan.  (2) The assessor shall cause to be inscribed in the book the description of each tract of land. The assessor shall assess the value of the benefits to accrue to each tract by reason of the improvement plan, including, without limitation, the works of improvement, and shall enter the assessment of benefits opposite the description, together with an estimate of what the landowner will be required to pay on the assessment.  (3) There shall be placed opposite the description of each tract of land the name of the owner, as shown by the last county assessment, but a mistake in the name shall not vitiate the assessment. Evident errors which occur in the county assessment list may be corrected.    (e) The assessor shall also assess all damages that will accrue to any landowner by reason of the proposed improvements, including all injury to lands taken or damaged.
AR Code § 14-116-602 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-602. Assessments — Filing and recording — Appointment of board of adjustment

 (a)  (1) When an assessment is completed, the assessor shall subscribe an original and one (1) copy of the assessment and deposit the original with the court clerk, where it shall be kept and preserved as a public record.  (2) The copy shall be certified by the court clerk after court confirmation and returned to the assessor to be preserved with the records of the water district.    (b) Upon the filing of assessment with the court clerk, the court shall appoint a three-member board of adjustment to hear complaints as provided for in § 14-116-605. Members of the board of adjustment shall be owners of land within the improvement project area and shall serve without compensation, except that the water district shall pay the board of adjustment and its members necessary and reasonable expenses associated with hearing complaints and reporting its recommendations to the court.
AR Code § 14-116-603 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-603. Appeal — Notice — Hearing of assessment complaints

 (a)  (1) Upon the filing of assessment, the court clerk shall give notice thereof by publication for two (2) weeks in a newspaper published and having a general circulation in the water district.  (2) The notice of hearing shall give a description of the land assessed and state that the owners of the land may appear before the board of adjustment on a day named therein and present complaints, if they have any, against the assessment of any land in the improvement project area.  (3) The day so named shall be not less than ten (10) days nor more than thirty (30) days after the last publication of the notice.    (b) If no complaint is made on the assessments levied, the assessments as deposited with the court clerk shall be conclusive, and the court shall enter an order confirming the assessment.  (c) Findings of the court shall have the force and effect of a judgment, from which an appeal may be taken within thirty (30) days, either by any such owner of land or by the board.
AR Code § 14-116-604 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-604. Acquiescence in damage assessment — Condemnation

 If such owner has been given notice by certified mail posted at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of the hearing provided for in § 14-116-603, he shall be construed to have accepted the assessment of damages in his favor made by the assessor or to have acquiesced in the failure to assess damages in his favor unless he gives to the court clerk, not later than the date of the hearing provided for in § 14-116-603, notice in writing that he demands a reassessment of his damages. In this event, the board shall institute an action to condemn the land that will be taken or damaged in carrying out the works of improvement included in the improvement plan.
AR Code § 14-116-605 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-605. Assessments — Complaints

 (a) Any owner of land within the improvement project area who conceives himself to be aggrieved by the assessment of benefits or that the assessment of any land within the project area is inadequate, shall present his complaint to the board of adjustment on the day named in the notice of hearing. At that time, the board of adjustment shall consider the complaint and make recommendations to the court thereon, either confirming the assessment or increasing or diminishing it.  (b) After review of the evidence presented to the board of adjustment and the recommendation of the board of adjustment, the court shall enter its findings thereon, either confirming the assessment or increasing or diminishing it.
AR Code § 14-116-606 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 14 - Local Government|Subtitle 7 - Water and Soil Improvement Districts|Chapter 116 - Regional Water Distribution District Act|Subchapter 6 - Improvement Plan Assessments|§ 14-116-606. Reassessments

 (a) In no event shall a reduction of assessments be made after the assessment of benefits has been confirmed by the court as provided in § 14-116-603 and obligations based on the assessments have been incurred, but any reduction in benefits shall be paid for by the water district as damages. The claim for those damages shall be secondary and subordinate to the rights of the holders of bonds or other obligations or evidences of indebtedness which have theretofore been issued.  (b) If, by reason of a change of the improvement plan pursuant to § 14-116-504, or change in land use, or any other reason, the board determines that current assessment on any land within the improvement project area has become inequitable, the board may direct the assessor to reassess the property. The assessor shall reassess the land in question, increasing the assessment if greater benefits will be received and reducing the assessment if benefits have decreased or if damages will be sustained.  (c) All reassessments shall be made, advertised, and confirmed as is provided for the original assessment of benefits under this subchapter.  (d) If any obligation of the water district arising from the improvement plan shall be outstanding at the time of a reassessment, the total liability thereon of land against which assessments of benefits have been confirmed shall be no less than the liability of the property by reason of the original assessment.