17-12-203. Duties and powers.

17-12-203. Duties and powers. (a) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may adopt, and amend from time to time, rules for the orderly conduct of its affairs and for the administration of this chapter. (b)(1) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy shall prepare periodically and make available in media or a medium deemed appropriate by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy a register which shall contain: (A) The names of all practitioners currently licensed to practice under this chapter; (B) The names of the members of the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy; and (C) Any other matters as may be deemed proper by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy. (2) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may employ personnel and arrange for assistance as it may require for the performance of its duties. (c)(1) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may promulgate and amend rules of professional conduct appropriate to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity and dignity in the profession of public accountancy. (2) At least three (3) months before the promulgation of a rule or amendment to its rules of professional conduct, the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy shall mail copies of the proposed rule or amendment to each licensee with a notice advising him or her of the proposed effective date of the rule or amendment and requesting that he or she submit his or her comments thereon at least fifteen (15) days before its effective date. (3) Comments shall be advisory only. (4) Failure to mail the rule, amendment, or notice to all licensees shall not affect the validity of the rule or amendment. (d) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may issue any further rules, including, but not limited to, rules of professional conduct pertaining to licensees practicing public accounting which it deems consistent with or required by the public welfare. Among other things, the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may prescribe rules for licensees: (1) Governing their style, name, and title; (2) Governing their affiliation with any other organization; and (3) Establishing reasonable standards with respect to professional liability insurance and capital requirements. (e) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy may: (1) Adopt rules, not inconsistent with this subchapter, as necessary and proper to carry out the purposes and intentions of this subchapter; (2)(A) Issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents. (B) In case of refusal to obey a subpoena issued to any person, the Pulaski County Circuit Court, upon application by the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, may issue an order requiring the person to appear before the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy to produce documentary evidence if so ordered or to give evidence touching the matter under investigation or in question. (C) Failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt of court; (3) Administer oaths; (4) Take testimony and receive evidence; and (5) Cooperate with the following: (A) The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board; and (B) The appropriate state, federal, or foreign regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the professional conduct in question. (f)(1) The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy and its agents are immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of its responsibilities. (2) The state shall hold the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy, its members, and its agents harmless from all costs, damages, and attorney's fees arising from claims and suits against them with respect to matters to which the immunity applies.