AR HB1683

Arkansas governmental entities (state agencies, political subdivisions, public schools, universities) are prohibited from purchasing electric vehicles or EV components unless the manufacturer provides a sworn certification that no forced labor was used in any part of production, including mining and material sourcing

"Forced labor" is defined to include labor obtained through force, fraud, or coercion; labor imposed based on protected characteristics; involuntary labor; and hazardous work by children under age 14, specifically including manufacturing and mining

Manufacturers who knowingly provide false certifications face civil penalties of $10,000 per false statement or one-half the total purchase price, whichever is greater

Governmental entities knowingly violating the law must pay the state $10,000 per false statement or the total purchase price, whichever is greater; individual employees face personal liability of $5,000, and board members who vote to approve violating purchases face $5,000 personal fines

The law applies to procurement contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after the effective date (approved April 21, 2025) and references federal actions including the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act and concerns about cobalt mining using child labor in the Democratic Republic of the Congo