Bill > HB1694

This bill amends Arkansas campaign finance reporting laws to eliminate the previous option for candidates to file paper campaign contribution and expenditure reports and instead mandates electronic filing. The bill requires the Secretary of State to develop comprehensive electronic reporting forms that candidates can complete in various digital formats, including word processing files and PDFs, which must be uploadable online and available to the public in a searchable format. In recognition that technical difficulties can arise, the bill includes an emergency provision allowing candidates to temporarily submit reports via email, fax, or paper copy, with the requirement that they upload an electronic version within ten days of the initial submission. The changes remove previous provisions about paper filing processes, notarized affidavits, and alternative filing methods, effectively streamlining and modernizing the campaign finance reporting system to prioritize electronic transparency and accessibility. By mandating electronic filing, the bill aims to make campaign finance information more readily available and easier to review by the public and election officials.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1694&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R