AR HB1457

Creates new requirement for judges and justices to recuse themselves from civil cases when a party who has a case pending before them made a substantial campaign contribution in the immediately preceding election, if a reasonable person would perceive impaired impartiality or there is serious objective probability of actual bias.

Establishes rebuttable presumption that a contribution is substantial if made when the case was reasonably foreseeable to come before the judge and exceeds 10% of total contributions for Supreme Court/Court of Appeals judges, 15% for circuit court judges, or 25% for district court judges.

Requires written orders when judges deny recusal motions and permits appeals of such denials within 30 days to the appropriate appellate court; stays all court action while such appeal is pending.

Defines "party" broadly to include the party or real party in interest, immediate family members, 5% or more shareholders of business entities, affiliates or subsidiaries of corporate parties, and the party's attorney or attorneys in practice with that attorney.

Provides that refunded contributions do not count toward the percentage thresholds for determining substantial contributions.