SB34 Summary

• Establishes the "Public Officer and Employee Integrity Act of 2017" creating a civil cause of action for the Attorney General to sue public officers and employees for malfeasance or illegal conduct.

• Creates the "Public Officer and Employee Integrity Enforcement Fund" as a special revenue fund to reimburse litigation expenses approved by the Legislative Council.

• Allows the Attorney General to recover up to 3 times the amount of stolen or mishandled public funds/property (or 10 times if defendant was a constitutional officer or state agency director), plus interest, costs, and attorney's fees.

• Requires Arkansas Legislative Audit identification of misconduct, written findings delivered to the accused, invitation to appear before the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, and affirmative committee votes before the Attorney General may file suit.

• All lawsuits must be filed in Pulaski County Circuit Court with a 7-year statute of limitations from the date of the last alleged act of malfeasance or illegal conduct.