AR SB1125

Public servants convicted of felony offenses relating to their office, misdemeanor offenses involving fraud/dishonesty/bribery/forgery/corruption, or theft from their governmental body must forfeit their office and are disqualified from holding any government position.

Members of the General Assembly may only be removed from office under the Arkansas Constitution, Article 5, but the General Assembly may consider these offenses when determining if a member is qualified.

Circuit courts must order convicted public servants to pay a penalty to the state, determined by considering the offense duration, money cost to the government, the servant's salary, severity of breach of public trust, and other relevant factors.

Penalties are in addition to restitution awards and criminal sentences and apply whether forfeiture is raised during prosecution or through a separate removal action.

The bill does not prohibit taxpayers from bringing civil actions under the Arkansas Constitution, Article 16, Section 13.