The state Ethics Commission is discussing how to administer new lobbying and campaign laws signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Senate Bill 967 (now Act 1280) limits lobbyists to one “planned activity” per week and provides a 30-day grace period for […]
The state Ethics Commission is discussing how to administer new lobbying and campaign laws signed by Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Senate Bill 967 (now Act 1280) limits lobbyists to one “planned activity” per week and provides a 30-day grace period for officials to return improper gifts. Political contribution limits from individuals and PACs to a candidate have been raised from $2,000 to $2,700 per election.
Act 1280 also authorizes the commission to oversee new ethics laws contained in a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2014. The amendment prohibited lobbyist gifts and corporate contributions, but did not provide the commission authority to administer the constitutional changes.
Earlier this year lawmakers passed House Bill 1002 (now Act 47), but that law only authorized the commission to issue advisory opinions concerning the amendment.
Act 1280 further provides the commission with statutory authority to administer the changes by issuing rules and investigating complaints. Act 1280 became effective upon Hutchinson’s signature.
February 13, 2015 •
Arkansas Legislature Sends Ethics Bill to Governor
Lawmakers have passed a bill authorizing the Ethics Commission to oversee new ethics laws contained in a constitutional amendment passed by voters on November 4, 2014. The amendment prohibited lobbyist gifts and corporate contributions, but did not provide the Ethics […]
Lawmakers have passed a bill authorizing the Ethics Commission to oversee new ethics laws contained in a constitutional amendment passed by voters on November 4, 2014. The amendment prohibited lobbyist gifts and corporate contributions, but did not provide the Ethics Commission authority to administer the constitutional changes.
House Bill 1002 allows the Ethics Commission to interpret the changes by issuing advisory opinions and guidelines. The bill will be effective immediately if signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson.
Photo of the Arkansas State Capitol by Stuart Seeger on Wikimedia Commons.
November 18, 2014 •
Arkansas Lawmakers Prefile Ethics Bill to Clarify Recent Changes
Lawmakers have prefiled a bill to clarify new ethics laws contained in a constitutional amendment passed by voters on November 4, 2014. The amendment prohibits lobbyist gifts and corporate contributions, but the Ethics Commission needs further legislative authority to enforce […]
Lawmakers have prefiled a bill to clarify new ethics laws contained in a constitutional amendment passed by voters on November 4, 2014.
The amendment prohibits lobbyist gifts and corporate contributions, but the Ethics Commission needs further legislative authority to enforce the constitutional changes.
Democratic Rep. Warwick Sabin and Republican Sen. Jon Woods filed House Bill 1002 as a shell bill, without any specific proposals, to publicize the issue ahead of the session start date on January 12, 2015.
Photo of the Arkansas State Capitol by jglazer75 on Wikimedia Commons.
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