Bill > SB102

This bill amends Arkansas law concerning local option election petition canvassers, introducing several significant new requirements and restrictions. The bill redefines "paid canvasser" and imposes strict regulations on their hiring and activities, including mandatory criminal background checks, identification verification, and citizenship and residency requirements. Sponsors must now obtain state police criminal history records for each paid canvasser within 30 days before signature collection, submit detailed lists of canvassers to county clerks, and certify that no canvassers have disqualifying criminal offenses. The bill prohibits paying canvassers based on the number of signatures obtained and requires canvassers to be U.S. citizens and Arkansas residents. It also establishes new criminal penalties, making willful violations and certain fraudulent actions Class A misdemeanors or Class D felonies. Additionally, the bill standardizes petition formatting, requires canvassers to submit detailed personal information, and mandates that canvassers personally witness the signatures they verify. If a petition part fails to meet these new requirements, the signatures will not be counted. The bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the law is found invalid, the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb102&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R