TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE AND REPORTING OF NONCANDIDATE EXPENDITURES PERTAINING TO APPELLATE JUDICIAL ELECTIONS; AND TO ADOPT NEW LAWS CONCERNING APPELLATE JUDICIAL CAMPAIGNS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrew Collins and 2 co-sponsors

HB 1043 aimed to boost transparency in appellate judicial elections by requiring disclosure of noncandidate expenditures, empowering voters with crucial funding information.

Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Bill Overview

Bill Number: HB 1043

Title: To Require Disclosure and Reporting of Noncandidate Expenditures Pertaining to Appellate Judicial Elections; and to Adopt New Laws Concerning Appellate Judicial Campaigns.

Status: Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Introduced: November 20, 2024

Classification: Bill

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1043 aimed to enhance transparency and public confidence in the integrity of appellate judicial elections in Arkansas. The bill sought to establish comprehensive disclosure requirements for noncandidate expenditures related to these elections, thereby empowering citizens to demand accountability from those making such expenditures.

Key Provisions

The bill proposed several significant changes to existing laws regarding appellate judicial campaigns:

Disclosure Requirements:

Mandated that all noncandidate expenditures related to appellate judicial elections be disclosed and reported.
Defined "noncandidate expenditures" as expenditures that are not direct contributions to candidates but pertain to communications about specific candidates within 120 days of an election.

Empowerment of the Arkansas Ethics Commission:

Granted the Arkansas Ethics Commission the authority to create rules governing noncandidate expenditures, enhancing enforcement capabilities.

Reporting Obligations:

Required individuals and noncandidate expenditure committees to file detailed reports with the Secretary of State if their contributions or expenditures exceeded $1,000.
Reports were to be submitted at various intervals: 60 days, 30 days, and 7 days before elections, as well as a final report after the last election.

Detailed Reporting Information:

Reports were to include information about contributors, including names, addresses, occupations, and the amounts contributed, especially for contributions exceeding $250.

Impact

The proposed legislation was designed to affect:
- Judicial Candidates: By increasing the transparency of campaign financing, candidates would be held accountable for the sources of their campaign support.
- Voters and Citizens: The bill aimed to empower voters by providing them with more information about who is funding judicial campaigns, thereby fostering informed voting decisions.
- Noncandidate Expenditure Committees: These entities would face new reporting requirements and regulations, impacting how they operate in the context of judicial elections.

Legislative Timeline

November 20, 2024: Bill filed.

January 13, 2025: Read for the first time, rules suspended, and referred to the Committee on State Agencies & Governmental Affairs.

January 16, 2025: Amendment No. 1 adopted, and the bill was reported correctly engrossed.

May 5, 2025: Bill died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Conclusion

While HB 1043 aimed to strengthen the integrity of appellate judicial elections through enhanced transparency and accountability, it ultimately did not progress past the committee stage. The proposed changes highlighted ongoing concerns regarding campaign financing in judicial elections and the need for greater public oversight.

Bill