The proposed bill seeks to improve transparency and public trust in appellate judicial elections in Arkansas by establishing new regulations for noncandidate expenditures. It amends existing laws to require that all reports related to these expenditures be verified by a noncandidate expenditure committee or a representative acting on its behalf, ensuring accuracy and completeness in financial statements. The bill introduces comprehensive disclosure requirements for noncandidate contributions and expenditures, empowers the Arkansas Ethics Commission to create governing rules, and enhances enforcement mechanisms for noncandidate expenditures in judicial races.

Key provisions include defining noncandidate expenditures, establishing registration requirements for noncandidate expenditure committees, and mandating detailed record-keeping of contributions and expenditures. Contributors to these committees are prohibited from transferring funds received from others and from soliciting contributions for the purpose of transferring them. The bill also allows registered voters to take legal action against noncandidate expenditure committees for compliance enforcement, with the potential for reimbursement of expenses and attorney's fees if they prevail. The Arkansas Ethics Commission is tasked with implementing these provisions, with new requirements set to take effect for the November 2026 nonpartisan judicial runoff election.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1043 V2 - 1-16-2025 01:29 PM: 7-6-213, 01-16-2025
Old version HB1043 Original - 11-20-2024 03:52 PM: 7-6-213
HB 1043: 7-6-213