Arkansas Ethics Commission -- About the Commission

ABOUT THE COMMISSION

THE COMMISSIONERS


Chairman Ross Term Expires: 12/31/08	Rev. Larry W. Ross is the presiding elder of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church’s western district of Arkansas where 40 pastors and congregations are under his supervision. Ross and his wife, Lillian, have three adult children, Angela, Larry II, and Erica. He was appointed to the Arkansas Ethics Commission by Attorney General Mike Beebe in 2004. A native of North Little Rock, Ross is a 1969 graduate of Philander Smith College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education. He earned his Master of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education in 1971 from State College of Arkansas (now the University of Central Arkansas), and also completed additional graduate studies at the University of Indiana, Bloomington. Ross received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degree from Philander Smith College and an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree from Jackson Theological Seminary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Presently, Ross serves on the National Board of Directors of SeniorNet International, the Philander Smith College Board of Trustees, and he is a member of the North Little Rock Rotary Club and Past President of the Rotary Club, and a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Ross was an executive with the Texas-based SBC Corporation before retiring in 2000.

Vice-Chairman Vess Term Expires: 12/31/09	Mr. Stuart Vess was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He received his undergraduate degree from Little Rock University and Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arkansas. He has been in private law practice for over 33 years. He was elected to the North Little Rock City Council, the Pulaski County Quorum Court, and the Arkansas House of Representatives. He held these public offices from 1983 to 2001. Stuart and his wife, Rita, have a daughter, Jennifer, and a son, Andrew. He was appointed to the Ethics Commission by Speaker of the House Bill Stovall in 2006.

Commissioner Black Term Expires: 12/31/10	Ms. Elaine Black - BIOGRAPHY COMING SOON.

Commissioner Johnson Term Expires: 12/31/11	Ms. Catherine Johnson - Appointed by Governor Mike Beebe (2007) President – Catherine Johnson & Associates, Inc. – 1986-present\| Fundraising, Capital Campaign Management, Major Gifts, Grants, Planned Giving, Direct Mail Catherine Johnson & Associates, Inc. was founded in 1986 to provide fundraising services to Arkansas non-profit organizations. Since that time, the firm has managed over $100 million in capital campaigns and annual fundraising programs. C.J. & A provides grant writing, capital campaign management, direct mail, major events, and planned giving to its clients. Over thirty non-profits have been served by C.J. & A, including the Arkansas Economic Acceleration Foundation, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame, The Arc Arkansas, Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranches, and others. C.J. & A also represents business leaders to achieve their fundraising goals with projects in which they have a personal interest. Personal Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana – July 21, 1954 Married to Mark D. Johnson Children: Allison – 2006 graduate of Loyola University New Orleans Andrea – 2005 graduate of Vanderbilt University Member: Cathedral of St. Andrew Pulaski County Master Gardeners

Commissioner Bryant Term Expires: 12/31/12	Mr. Steve Bryant, PD - BIOGRAPHY COMING SOON.
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MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Arkansas Ethics Commission is to serve as the compliance and enforcement agency under Arkansas' standards of conduct and disclosure laws concerning candidates for public office, state and local public officials, lobbyists and committees, and individuals involved with initiatives, referendums and other matters referred to the voters.

The Commission promotes openness and accountability in government through a balanced approach to its statutory duties of interpreting, investigating compliance with and issuing sanctions for proven violations of Arkansas' ethics and public disclosure laws.

The Arkansas Ethics Commission was established in 1991 as a result of the voters' approval of Initiated Act I of 1990. The Commission is made up of five members who serve five-year staggered terms and are appointed by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House, respectively. Members of the Commission serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

The Commission's staff is composed of:
1 Executive Director
2 Staff Attorneys
2 Directors of Compliance
1 Systems Administrator
1 Fiscal Officer
2 Administrative Assistants

The Commission's authorities and responsibilities are set out in Ark. Code Ann. §§ 7-6-217 and 218, and include: (1) drafting or reviewing and approving disclosure forms used by public officials, lobbyists, political action committees, candidates for office, and ballot and legislative question committees; (2) monitoring compliance with disclosure requirements; (3) issuing advisory opinions interpreting the ethics laws assigned to its jurisdiction; (4) investigating alleged violations of the law and determining whether a violation has occurred; (5) holding monthly public meetings and conducting public hearings; (6) issuing disciplinary action for violations of the law, or referring its findings to a prosecuting attorney for criminal proceedings; (7) answering questions regarding Arkansas ethics laws on a daily, informal basis; (8) preparing and distributing educational materials for candidates, elected and appointed officials, lobbyists, political action committees, and ballot and legislative question committees; (9) maintaining report files on all ballot question and legislative question committees registering in accordance with the Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives, Referendums and Measures Referred to Voters and (10) responding to questions and requests for documents under the FOIA.

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INFORMATION FOR PUBLIC GUIDANCE

The following was first posted online on June 30, 2003, in compliance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 2001.

The Arkansas Ethics Commission was established in 1991 as a result of the passage of Initiated Act 1 of 1990. The Commission is comprised of five Commissioners who enforce certain ethics, conflicts of interest, lobbying, campaign, campaign finance, and ballot question laws within the State of Arkansas. Specifically, the Commission has jurisdiction over the following:

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-1-103(a)(1)-(4), (6) and (7) (concerning “Elections”);
Ark. Code Ann. § 7-6-201 et seq. (entitled “Campaign Financing”);
Ark. Code Ann. § 7-9-401 et seq. (entitled “Disclosure for Matters Referred To Voters”);\
Ark. Code Ann. § 21-1-401 through § 21-1-408 (concerning “Constitutional Officers and Their Spouses”);
Ark. Code Ann. § 21-8-301 through § 21-8-903 (referred to as “The Disclosure Act for Lobbyists and State and Local Officials”); and
Ark. Code Ann. § 21-8-1001 et seq. (pertaining to “State Boards, Commissions, and Entities Receiving State Funds”).

Members of the Commission serve five year terms and are appointed one each by the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House. Commission members serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.

The Commission’s staff consists of a director, two staff attorneys, two directors of compliance, one fiscal officer, one systems administrator, and two administrative assistants, who are responsible for general administration and operation of the Commission’s office. This staff may make office administrative procedure, act as spokesman for the Commission, receive correspondence and correspond on behalf of the Commission, provide legal and other research to the Commission, investigate allegations of violations of laws under the Commission’s jurisdiction, and perform such other functions as the Commission deems appropriate. The Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure govern all proceedings before the Commission and are applicable to any complaints filed with the Commission.

The Commission's authorities and responsibilities are set out in Ark. Code Ann. §§ 7-6-217 and 218. Functions performed by the Commission include: (1) drafting or reviewing and approving disclosure forms, instructions, and calendars used by public officials, lobbyists, political action committees, candidates for office, and ballot and legislative question committees; (2) monitoring compliance with disclosure requirements; (3) issuing advisory opinions concerning the ethics laws under its jurisdiction; (4) investigating alleged violations of the ethics laws and determining whether a violation has occurred; (5) holding monthly public meetings and conducting public hearings; (6) issuing disciplinary action for violations of the law, or referring its finding to a prosecuting attorney for criminal proceedings; (7) answering questions regarding the statutes under its jurisdiction on a daily, informal basis; (8) preparing and distributing instructional and educational materials and conducting training sessions for candidates, elected and appointed officials, lobbyists, political action committees, and ballot and legislative question committees; (9) maintaining files on all ballot question and legislative question committees registered in accordance with the Disclosure Act for Public Initiatives, Referenda, and Measures Referred to Voters; (10) promulgating rules and regulations to implement and administer the statutes under its jurisdiction; (11) responding to questions and requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”); (12) making information publicly accessible in an electronic form via the internet; and (13) implementing and maintaining a reminder notice program.

The Commission’s office is located at 910 West Second Street, Suite 100, Little Rock, Arkansas. Its telephone numbers are (501) 324-9600 and (800) 422-7773. The Commission’s mailing address is Post Office Box 1917, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203-1917. Its electronic mail and internet addresses are ContactUs@ArkansasEthics.com and www.arkansasethics.com. Persons may obtain access to public records of the Commission by visiting its office, viewing its website, or submitting a request for records.

The following is a list and general description of the Commission’s records:

Commission meeting records, including agenda, written minutes, and audio tapes of the meetings.
Case files, including correspondence, complaints, and records of the investigation.
Final action letters setting forth the Commission’s final action in cases before the Commission and the reasons for such action.
Public letters of sanction, including letters of caution, warning, and reprimand.
Records related to fines imposed by the Commission.
Advisory opinions issued by the Commission on its own initiative or in response to written requests setting forth inquiries into matters under its jurisdiction.
Ballot and legislative question committee records filed with the Commission, including: statements of organization, financial reports, and notices of dissolution.
Forms and instructions published by the Commission for candidates, lobbyists, political action committees, ballot and legislative question committees, and other persons subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction.
Records related to reminder notices prepared by the Commission including databases of public officials, candidates for public office, state boards and commissions, lobbyists, and political action committees.
Records of review exercises, including memoranda and corrective action letters.
Records related to training sessions conducted by the Commission’s staff including training materials and databases of newspapers in Arkansas.
Rules promulgated by the Commission concerning campaign finance, lobbyist registration and reporting, gifts, and proceedings before the Commission.
Records related to the administration of the Commission’s office, including (i) lease agreements: office space and equipment; (ii) financial records: budget information, payroll records, and invoices; (iii) employee records: personnel files, time sheets, and leave requests; and (iv) records relating to office equipment: inventories, meter readings of copiers and postage equipment, etc.

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-6-218(b)(3)(B) contains a statutory exemption which affects FOIA requests to the Ethics Commission. Under that exemption, the Commission is required to keep all proceedings, records, and transcripts of any investigations or inquiries confidential unless (i) the respondent requests disclosure of documents, (ii) a public hearing is held in accordance with Ark. Code Ann. § 7-6-218(b)(2), or (iii) judicial review of a Commission decision is sought pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 25-15-212. Ark. Code Ann. §7-6-218(b)(3)(C) provides that all records relevant to an investigation and upon which the Commission has based its decision shall become open to public inspection thirty (30) days after any final adjudication in which the Commission makes a finding of a violation.

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