AR SB699

Candidates may file campaign finance reports in paper form if they lack access to necessary technology or if electronic filing would constitute substantial hardship, contingent upon submitting a notarized affidavit with their first paper report in each election cycle.

The notarized affidavit must declare that the candidate lacks technology access, faces substantial hardship with electronic filing, and agrees to file all reports in paper form for the duration of the election cycle.

The Secretary of State must reject paper reports submitted without the required notarized affidavit and provide written notice to candidates within five business days if a report is not filed or accepted, including the reason for rejection.

The Secretary of State shall develop electronic reporting forms including cover sheets, contribution reports, and expenditure reports that allow candidates to submit documents in word processing or PDF format, upload them electronically, and compile them into a single publicly searchable document.

The Secretary of State must develop criteria for an updated and simplified electronic campaign finance reporting system by January 1, 2022, and establish a timeline for implementation; the bill declares an emergency effective immediately due to inaccuracies in the current online reporting system.