AR SB687

Transfers authority to establish filing fees for candidates seeking elected offices (except county, municipal, and township offices) from the state executive committee to a newly created Public Office Filing Fee Commission.

Creates the Public Office Filing Fee Commission with 10 voting members apportioned by percentage representation of each political party in the House of Representatives, plus one nonvoting registered independent appointed by the Governor.

Establishes commission member qualifications including U.S. citizenship, Arkansas residency for at least 2 years, qualified elector status, age 25 or older, and prohibits holders of civil office, state employees, registered lobbyists, and their immediate family members.

Requires commission members to serve 2-year terms with a maximum of 2 consecutive terms, with initial appointments due by October 30, 2021 and first meeting within 30 days thereafter.

Mandates the commission establish uniform political party filing fees for all candidates for elected office in the state and makes the commission subject to Arkansas Freedom of Information Act requirements.