Ark. Code Ann. § 23-3-204: Preliminary orders

(a) If the applicant desires to exercise the right or privilege under a franchise, permit, ordinance, vote, or other authority which it contemplates securing or which has not then been granted to it, the applicant may apply to the commission for an order preliminary to the issuance of the certificate.

(b) The commission may thereupon make an order declaring that it will thereafter, upon application under such rules as it may prescribe, issue the desired certificate upon the terms and conditions as it may designate after the applicant has obtained the contemplated franchise, permit, ordinance, vote, or other authority.

(c) Upon the presentation to the commission of evidence satisfactory to it, if such a franchise, permit, ordinance, vote, or other authority has been secured by the applicant, the commission shall thereupon issue the certificate.