Bill
HB 1694
Arkansas HB 1694 adds a paper-filing option for campaign finance reports, requiring a notarized affidavit, SOS-approved forms, and deadlines, plus an emergency upload path.
Note on sources and scope
- The materials supplied appear to include text from multiple different "HB 1694" bills from different states (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana) and conflicting procedural histories. This summary focuses on the Arkansas text that is the most complete in the packet: an amendment to Arkansas Code § 7‑6‑230 concerning alternatives to electronic filing for campaign finance reports. If you need a summary for a different state's HB 1694, tell me which jurisdiction and I will prepare that separately.
Purpose and intent
- To amend Arkansas law to create and clarify an alternative process for candidates required to file campaign contribution and expenditure reports electronically to instead submit reports in paper or alternative electronic formats under specified conditions and procedures.
Key provisions and changes
- Paper-filing alternative: A candidate required to file reports electronically under § 7‑6‑207 may instead file reports in paper form under this section.
- Notarized affidavit: A candidate who chooses paper filing must submit a notarized affidavit (on a Secretary of State form) with the candidate’s first paper report in an election cycle. The Secretary of State must not accept paper reports unless that affidavit was submitted.
- Secretary of State duties:
- Provide written notice within five business days if a paper report was not filed or accepted and state the reason.
- Develop electronic reporting forms (cover sheet, contribution reports, expenditure reports) that can be filled in common electronic formats (word processing, PDF, read‑only) and uploaded or delivered electronically. Forms should be combinable into a single, publicly searchable document.
- Make deadlines, forms, and instructions available to candidates. The Arkansas Ethics Commission must approve the forms and instructions to ensure completeness.
- Publish paper-submitted reports, carryover fund reports, and accompanying affidavits on the Secretary of State’s website and apply the “paper filer” designation/publishing requirements of § 7‑6‑214(c).
- Emergency filing: In an emergency, the Secretary of State shall allow a candidate to email, fax, or deliver a paper copy to meet filing deadlines. A candidate who uses this emergency option must upload the report electronically within ten (10) days of submitting the paper copy.
- Timeliness rules:
- Non‑preelection paper reports are timely if hand-delivered or mailed with a postmark on the due date.
- Preelection paper reports are timely only if received by the Secretary of State no later than seven (7) days before the election.
- Facsimile filings are accepted provided the original is received within ten (10) days of transmission.
- Acceptance of computer-generated reports: Computer-generated reports are acceptable if they include all required elements.
Who is affected
- Candidates and campaign committees required to file campaign finance reports electronically under Arkansas law; candidates opting to use the paper alternative; the Arkansas Secretary of State (administration, form development, public posting); and the Arkansas Ethics Commission (form approval). The public will be affected through changes in how reports are published and searched.
Procedural / timeline aspects
- Notarized affidavit required with the first paper report in each election cycle.
- Emergency filings must be followed by an electronic upload within 10 days.
- Preelection paper reports must be received at least 7 days before the relevant election to be timely.
- The bill amends Arkansas Code § 7‑6‑230; any effective date is not included in the supplied text.
Status and caveat
- The supplied packet contains conflicting status entries (including “Died In Committee” and later engrossed/amendment actions). The Arkansas text is labeled “As Engrossed: S4/7/25” and shows an amendment (S1) clarifying the emergency upload requirement; however, you should verify final enactment and the authoritative status with the Arkansas legislative records or the Secretary of State’s office before relying on this as current law.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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