AR HB1313

Exempts bill sponsors with conflicts of interest from Arkansas Code § 21-8-803 and instead requires them to comply with new conflict-of-interest reporting requirements under § 21-8-805

Requires General Assembly members sponsoring legislation affecting their financial interests or those of their business entities (where they hold more than 10% ownership or serve as officer, director, trustee, partner, or employee) to file a written conflict statement with the Secretary of State and their chamber's chief clerk or secretary

Mandates conflict statements be filed simultaneously with bill filing and distributed to all committee members when legislation is presented; allows committee and chamber members to object to bill consideration until statements are provided

Imposes criminal penalties of Class A misdemeanor for purposely violating the reporting requirements and authorizes the Arkansas Ethics Commission to investigate violations and promulgate implementation rules

Declares an emergency effective immediately upon Governor approval to ensure the General Assembly conducts proceedings transparently and avoids conflicts of interest among members