AR SB1118

Repeals Arkansas Code § 3-8-204 and § 3-8-302 and § 3-8-304 to consolidate local option election petition procedures and clarifies that petitions shall be governed by § 7-9-101 et seq. and § 3-8-701 et seq.

Creates "Disclosure Act for Initiative Proceedings" (§ 3-8-601 et seq.) requiring local-option ballot question committees to file statements of organization and financial reports with the Arkansas Ethics Commission when contributions or expenditures exceed $500, with restrictions on cash contributions ($100 limit), anonymous contributions ($50+ prohibited), and cash expenditures ($50 limit).

Establishes "Paid Canvassers" requirements (§ 3-8-701 et seq.) mandating sponsors provide paid canvassers with Secretary of State handbooks, require background certifications, collect residential addresses, maintain records for three years, and submit complete canvasser lists to the Secretary of State.

Creates new crime of "petition fraud" (§ 5-55-601) as a Class A misdemeanor covering illegal signature practices, false statements by canvassers or notaries, sponsor filing of fraudulent signatures, and misrepresentation of petition purposes.

Repeals § 7-9-103(b) and consolidates petition fraud criminal provisions into new unified § 5-55-601 covering all petition types (local option, initiative, and referendum).