LITTLE ROCK, Ark–Today, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders released funds from the Response and Recovery Fund and made the following statement:

"Out of an abundance of caution, I've directed funds to be released from the Response and Recovery Fund ahead of the Great American Eclipse. This will assist commercial carriers transporting essential items to customers in Arkansas during the eclipse. We want to make sure Arkansans and all visitors have an enjoyable experience and come back again and again."

The text of the Executive Order releasing the funds is below:

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME – GREETINGS:

E.O. 24-04: EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PROVIDE FUNDING, AS AUTHORIZED BY ARK. CODE ANN. §§ 12-75-114, AS AMENDED, FROM THE GOVERNOR'S DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FUND

WHEREAS: On April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur and create a path of totality in Arkansas that is expected to cause an influx of travel to our state, which may create dangers and hardships throughout the state in anticipation of, and following, this event. These circumstances, in turn, warrant this executive action;

WHEREAS: Adverse circumstances could be brought to bear upon the citizens and public properties within the State of Arkansas due to the influx of travel for the eclipse event;

WHEREAS: These travel-related conditions could result in a backlog of deliveries by commercial vehicles transporting essential items of commerce to customers in Arkansas; and

WHEREAS: Pursuant to 49 CFR §390.23, a motor carrier or driver operating a commercial motor vehicle shall be exempt from 49 CFR §§ 395.3 and 395.5 for up to 14 days following the declaration of an emergency by the Governor of a State, so long as the motor carrier or driver is providing direct assistance in response to the declared emergency.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, acting under the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Arkansas, and pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. §§ 12-75-101, et seq., do hereby declare a state of emergency for this solar eclipse event and direct the sum of $100,000.00 to be obligated from the Governor's Disaster Response and Recovery Fund to be used at the discretion of the Director of the Arkansas Division of Emergency Management to defray both program and administrative costs.

FURTHERMORE, I hereby declare that a state of emergency exists with respect to commercial carriers transporting essential items of commerce to customers in Arkansas during this emergency, including but not limited to groceries, pharmacy items, medical equipment, goods, commodities, fuel, poultry, livestock, and feed. The state of emergency declared herein shall remain in effect until April 10, 2024.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 5th day of April, in the year of our Lord 2024.