HB 1865 - Election Commissions Integrity Act

• Creates uniform standards for county board election commissioners and election officials, including residency requirements and prohibitions on political party employment or active campaigning for candidates on their county ballot.

• Clarifies permissible political activities for county board members, allowing financial contributions, attendance at political meetings, and party convention participation while prohibiting campaign management, labor, and solicitation.

• Repeals Arkansas Code § 7-4-118 and replaces it with new § 7-4-120 establishing a comprehensive complaint and investigation procedure for election law violations, with a 30-day filing deadline for complaints.

• Grants the State Board of Election Commissioners authority to investigate complaints, impose sanctions including warnings and fines of $25-$1,000, and complete investigations within 180 days (or 240 days if a hearing is held).

• Requires mandatory election training coordinated by the state board for county board members, poll workers, and certified election monitors prior to each preferential primary election.