The bill amends various sections of Arkansas campaign finance and ethics laws, specifically targeting the regulations surrounding campaign contributions and expenditures. Notably, it introduces a new provision that makes it unlawful for prospective contributors, except for certain specified individuals, to make contributions to candidates for public office or their representatives. Additionally, the bill clarifies that candidates or officeholders cannot use campaign funds to pay fines imposed by the Arkansas Ethics Commission for misusing campaign funds as personal income. It also updates the requirements for record-keeping and reporting by candidates, political parties, and committees, including changes to the timelines for filing reports and the conditions under which reports are required.

Further amendments include the adjustment of thresholds for independent expenditure committees, which must now register after accepting contributions exceeding $200 instead of $500. The bill also establishes new guidelines for the reuse of campaign materials and mandates that such materials clearly state who paid for them. Lastly, it adds a requirement for executive directors of education service cooperatives to file their financial interest statements with the county clerk. Overall, the bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in campaign finance practices in Arkansas.

Statutes affected:
SB 351: 7-6-203(a), 7-6-203(f), 7-6-203(g), 7-6-206(a), 7-6-207(a), 7-6-207(b), 7-6-208(b), 7-6-209(b), 7-6-215(d), 7-6-216(c), 7-6-216(d), 7-6-220(a), 7-6-227(a), 7-6-228(c), 7-9-402(2), 7-9-402(10), 7-9-409(a), 21-8-703(a)