The Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee voted to pass Senate Bill 91, which directs studies of Spring Creek after committee discussion about a recent spike in phosphorus levels.

Representative Harden said the measure "says, study over Spring Creek. They do a study. It involves 2 committees. There there has been a slight spike in phosphorus over the last year, so, move for adoption." Harden told members the bill will set up one local committee and one composed of state agencies to pinpoint sources.

Representative Alonzo Sandoval asked how the measure relates to a similar House bill; Harden said the two are "the exact same bill." Harden and others discussed possible sources, noting poultry operations are a leading hypothesis and that municipalities along the Arkansas border discharge treated wastewater to the Illinois River; Harden said the study will try "to pinpoint a source, whether it is poultry, whether it's, it's coming out of Arkansas."

The committee adopted the bill on a unanimous voice roll; the clerk recorded 10 yays and 0 nays and the chair declared the bill passed the subcommittee.