This bill aims to amend various laws related to municipal ordinance violations, the contracting of municipal attorneys, and the collection and distribution of sums by district courts in Arkansas. It clarifies the law regarding the collection and distribution of funds collected by district courts, particularly for cities and towns that do not operate their own district courts or have police departments. The bill introduces a mechanism to ensure these municipalities receive appropriate distributions from the district court to facilitate remediation.

Key amendments include allowing cities of the second class or incorporated towns to contract with an attorney for legal representation if they choose not to have a city attorney. Additionally, the bill revises the accounting records maintained by district court clerks to ensure proper categorization of fines and fees collected, and it specifies the distribution of these funds to the respective town or city treasuries. The bill also modifies the cost-sharing procedure for district court expenses, ensuring that towns or cities without a district court can contribute to the operational costs of the nearest district court through a mandatory written agreement.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1178 V2 - 2-18-2025 09:39 AM: 16-17-707(a), 16-17-1203(a)
Old version HB1178 V3 - 3-5-2025 11:08 AM: 14-42-112(a), 16-17-707, 03-05-2025, 16-17-705, 16-10-305, 16-17-1203, 16-10-201, 16-17-1203(a)
Old version HB1178 V4 - 4-1-2025 10:13 AM: 14-42-112(a), 16-17-707, 04-01-2025, 16-17-705, 16-10-305, 16-17-1203, 16-10-201, 16-17-1203(a)
Old version HB1178 Original - 1-21-2025 01:52 PM: 16-17-707(a), 16-17-1203(a)
HB 1178: 16-17-707(a), 16-17-1203(a)
Act 993: 14-42-112(a), 16-17-707, 04-01-2025, 16-17-705, 16-10-305, 16-17-1203, 16-10-201, 16-17-1203(a)