SB967 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Constitution Article 19, § 30 to prohibit specified state officials, judges, General Assembly members, and salary commission members from soliciting or accepting gifts from lobbyists, with exceptions for informational materials, family gifts, food at planned activities, and conference-related expenses.

• Increases campaign contribution limits from $2,000 to $2,700 per election for candidates (except statewide offices which remain at $2,000) and establishes automatic annual adjustments based on federal inflation percentages beginning in odd-numbered years.

• Extends the ineligibility period for former General Assembly members to register as lobbyists from 1 year to 2 years after their term expires, effective for all persons elected on or after November 4, 2014.

• Adds affirmative defenses allowing candidates, public officials, and state employees to correct unintentional violations within 30 days of discovery by returning gifts, amending reports, or updating financial interest statements without penalty.

• Extends Arkansas Ethics Commission investigation timelines from 150 to 210 days (and 180 to 240 days when hearings are held) and establishes campaign sign and material reuse provisions allowing candidates to retain and reuse purchased materials in future campaigns without listing them as new expenditures.