This bill amends existing laws regarding the procurement of electric vehicles and their components by governmental entities in Arkansas. It prohibits these entities from purchasing electric vehicles or components that have been manufactured, in whole or in part, using forced labor. The bill includes legislative findings that highlight the prevalence of forced labor in the production of electric vehicle components, particularly those sourced from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, and emphasizes the need for state governments to ensure taxpayer dollars are not used to fund such practices.

To enforce this prohibition, the bill requires manufacturers to provide a sworn certification confirming that no forced labor was used in the production of the electric vehicle or its components. It also establishes civil penalties for manufacturers or sellers who provide false information, as well as for governmental entities and their employees who knowingly violate these provisions. The penalties include fines based on the severity of the violation, ensuring accountability at multiple levels of government and industry.