States of Disclosure
 
Document Warehouse

Center researchers cut through the red tape to bring you Personal Financial Disclosure reports filed by members of the executive, judicial and legislative branches in the 50 states. Choose a state to go directly to listings:

 
In Your State

Select a state to find details on Personal Financial Disclosures in each branch of government, including:

  • Governors, Judges and Legislators
  • Rules on Gifts, Trips and Honoraria
  • Sample and Actual Disclosure Reports

 
In Your State — Arkansas

How easy is it to find information on the private interests of public officials? The Center researched state requirements on the filing of Personal Financial Disclosures by all three branches of state government — executive, legislative and judicial — to help the public hold officials accountable and determine the potential for conflicts of interest. Find out more about this state's requirements below.

States of Disclosure executive branch project logo
Governors
A Center examination of Personal Financial Disclosure requirements for the nation’s governors in all 50 states found governors in 46 states report financial ties. Below are links to findings from this state, or go to the nationwide overview.
Governor Disclosure Grade / Rank: C / 16
Are disclosures available electronically?: Yes
What does the disclosure form look like?
Ethics Commission
States of Disclosure judicial branch project logo
Judges
A survey of Personal Financial Disclosure requirements for Supreme Court judges in all 50 states discovered that judges in 47 states report financial ties. Below are links to findings from this state, or go to the nationwide overview.
How are Supreme Court judges selected?: Non-partisan election
Are they required to file disclosures?: Yes
What does the disclosure form look like?
Clerk of the Courts, Arkansas Judiciary
Ethics Commission
States of Disclosure legislative branch project logo
Legislators
A study of Personal Financial Disclosure requirements for the 7,400 state legislators in all 50 states found lawmakers in 47 states report financial ties. Below are links to findings from this state, or go to the nationwide overview.
Legislator Disclosure Grade / Rank: C / 11
Are disclosures available electronically?: Yes
What does the disclosure form look like?
Ethics Commission 



Gifts, Trips and Honoraria Guidelines

States commonly prohibit lawmakers from accepting gifts in return for legislative action (or inaction). Many states also have put in place more specific bans preventing lobbyists or others with financial interests in government business from giving gifts, paying for travel or providing speaking fees. These laws, however, often provide for exceptions. The Center reviewed these guidelines in 2007 to provide a brief, informational overview of states' rules for gifts, trips and honoraria.

Gift policy: 
The governor can accept gifts under $100 in recognition of his or her public service or gifts given in personal friendship.
Does the governor report gifts? Yes
The governor reports gifts over $100 received by him/herself or by his/her spouse and gifts over $250 received by dependent children.
What are the exceptions? 
The definition of gift does not include: political contributions; informational materials; food, lodging or travel when appearing in official capacity; gifts from relatives; inheritances; wedding presents; tickets to charitable fundraising events; personalized awards worth $150 or less; food or beverage provided at scheduled conference event; intergovernmental gifts (bought w/ personal funds, in recognition of public service) or from a supervisor or peers; or racing passes for redistribution to constituents.
Do lobbyists report gifts? Yes
Lobbyists report each gift worth more than $100 and each payment for food, beverages, lodging or travel in excess of $40 per day.
Can travel expenses be paid by non-state entities? Yes
Arkansas ethics law allows outside payment for travel expenses and related food and lodging, if the governor appears in an official capacity. If a person or business other than a lobbyist funds such a trip, the governor reports any expenses over $150.
Are honoraria different than other gifts? Yes
The governor cannot accept a payment for a speech or public appearance but can accept a personalized award less than $150 in value, as well as food and beverages provided at time.
Do the same rules apply to other state employees? Yes
Do the same rules apply to legislators? Yes
This summary is provided for informational purposes. For more details contact the appropriate state agency for official rules: Arkansas Ethics Commission. (http://www.arkansasethics.com/)