A federal judge blocked a state law that prevents candidates for public office from accepting campaign contributions more than two years before an election.

The ruling prompted an immediate appeal from the attorney general.

Plaintiff Peggy Jones of Pulaski County filed suit on April 5 over Arkansas Code 7-6-203(e).

Jones claimed the blackout period infringed on her First Amendment right of political expression by preventing her from donating money now to those she wishes to support as candidates in the 2022 election cycle.

Jones contended the blackout period is unconstitutional because it is not closely drawn to address the important governmental interest of preventing corruption.

She also claimed the law is over-broad because it bars all campaign contributions, including small contributions that do not present a potential for corruption.

U.S. District Judge James Moody Jr. granted a preliminary injunction on June 17, enjoining the state from enforcing the law during the pendency of the matter.

A special election will take place on November 5 to fill a vacancy in House District 36.

Former Rep. Charles Blake left office to become Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott’s chief of staff.

This week, the regular session of the 92nd Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die.

Lasting a total of 88 days, the session ended Wednesday, April 24.

The 93rd General Assembly is scheduled to convene on Monday, January 11, 2021.

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed several bills into law.

Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500.

Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected state official and House Bill 1178 amends various sections of law related to competitive sealed bids.

The bills will become effective 90 days after the legislative session adjourns sine die.

Senate Bills 249 and 256 have been passed by the Legislature are on the way to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk.

Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500.

Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected state official.

If signed by the governor, the bills will become effective 90 days after the legislative session adjourns sine die.

The Arkansas Ethics Commission clarified a gift exception in Advisory Opinion No. 2019-EC-001.

A local lobbying firm wants to hold a 20^th anniversary event and invite public officials. In turn, the firm requested more information regarding the exception permitting anything to be given to public officials if it is also readily available to the general public.

The commission stated the exception does not apply to an event where invitations are issued to friends, family members, clients, former clients, and business associates only.

In order for an event to be readily available to the general public, the general public would have to be made aware of the event’s existence.

For the event to qualify for the gift exception, an entity could make an announcement of the event on widely-used social media platforms and through traditional media, such as a state-wide newspaper, to make sure the general public knows the event is not limited to invitees.

Additionally, holding an event at a venue open to the public, like a park or convention center, would help meet the gift exception.

Arkansas State Senators introduced several ethics bills on February 4, 2019.

If passed, Senate Bill 260 prohibits direct contributions between PACs and Senate Bill 259 prevents a person elected or appointed to a constitutional office from forming more than one PAC.

Senate Bill 256 prohibits an elected state official from registering as a lobbyist in any jurisdiction while serving as an elected state official.

Senate Bill 249 increases the fines for violating ethics laws the Arkansas Ethics Commission may levy at violators from $2,000 to $3,500.

Additionally, the State Representatives introduced House Bill 1374.

House Bill 1374 prohibits a former Legislator from registering as a lobbyist or entering into employment as the director of an educational cooperative or area agency on aging for two years after the expiration of his or her term of office.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has schedule a special election for November 6, to fill the state House District 45 seat vacated by Jeremy Gillam.

There will be no special primary and political parties must choose their nominees by party convention.

Gillam resigned in order to become the director of governmental relations and external affairs at the University of Central Arkansas.

The second extraordinary session of the 91^st Arkansas General Assembly adjourned sine die on March 15, 2018.

Several bills passed both houses including a bill addressing pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates, also known as House Bill 1010.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed House Bill 1010 into law at an afternoon press conference.

At the press conference, Hutchinson announced plans to reduce cabinet-level agencies in state government by 50 percent.

The 2018 Arkansas fiscal session adjourned sine die on March 12.

Following adjournment, Gov. Asa Hutchinson formally called a special session to begin on March 13.

The special session will address highway funding and pharmacy reimbursement legislation.

The adjournment date has yet to be determined.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson stated he is going to call a special session after the ongoing fiscal session concludes.

The special session will address pharmacy benefit managers’ low reimbursement rates to pharmacists and a current law preventing Arkansas from qualifying for certain federal highway funds.

Hutchinson has yet to set a date for the special session.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson has scheduled a special election on August 14, 2018, to fill the state Senate District 8 seat vacated by Jake Files.

The primary will be May 22 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on June 19.

Files resigned after pleading guilty to charges of wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.

The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson called a special election on May 22, 2018, for Senate District 16.

The special election has been called to fill the vacancy left by the passing of State Sen. Greg Standridge. Standridge lost his battle with cancer on November 16, 2017.

The primary will be February 13 and a primary runoff, if necessary, on March 13.