HB1901 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Constitution Article 19, Section 30 regarding gifts from lobbyists to state officials, adding judges and prosecuting attorneys to the list of covered positions and clarifying gift exceptions including food/drink at planned activities, regional conference travel, and personalized awards up to $150.

• Increases campaign contribution limits from $2,000 to $2,700 per election for non-statewide candidates and establishes automatic annual adjustments based on federal inflation percentages, with limits indexed to inflation beginning in odd-numbered years.

• Requires candidates to wait two (2) years instead of one (1) year after leaving office before registering as lobbyists, effective for all persons elected on or after November 4, 2014.

• Establishes affirmative defenses for violating ethics laws if a person corrects violations within 30 days and extends investigation timelines from 150/180 days to 210/240 days for the Arkansas Ethics Commission.

• Directs Legislative Council to conduct a feasibility study by January 1, 2016 on electronic filing systems for campaign reports to improve public access and ease of use for candidates.