19-11-718. Special state employees — Conflicts of interest — Definitions.

19-11-718. Special state employees — Conflicts of interest — Definitions. (a) As used in this section: (1)(A) “Conflict of interest” means a special state employee's direct or indirect pecuniary or other interest in a matter before a covered board. (B) “Conflict of interest” includes without limitation the following: (i) An offer of employment from an entity that is involved in a procurement matter with the covered board or is involved in a discussion of a procurement matter with the covered board; (ii) Being an officer or employee of a business, association, or nonprofit organization that is involved in a procurement matter with the covered board or is involved in a discussion of a procurement matter with the covered board; and (iii) Receiving compensation from an entity that is involved in a procurement matter or is involved in a discussion of a procurement matter with the covered board; (2)(A) “Covered board” means: (i) A commission, board, bureau, office, or other state instrumentality created within the executive branch; and (ii) An entity that is created by rule, statute, legislative direction, executive order, or other informal means if the entity has decision-making authority over procurement criteria, contracts, appointment of individuals to negotiate procurement directly or indirectly, or the approval of procurements. (B) “Covered board” does not include the following: (i) The constitutional departments of the state; (ii) The elected constitutional offices of the state; (iii) The General Assembly, including the Legislative Council, the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee, and supporting agencies and bureaus of the General Assembly; (iv) The Supreme Court; (v) The Court of Appeals; (vi) The circuit courts; (vii) Prosecuting attorneys; (viii) The Administrative Office of the Courts; (ix) An institution of higher education; (x) A municipal government; (xi) A county government; (xii) An interstate agency; or (xiii) A legislative task force or committee if the legislative task force or committee only advises the General Assembly; and (3)(A) “Special state employee” means a person appointed to a covered board, regardless of whether the person: (i) Receives compensation for his or her services; (ii) Receives reimbursement for travel expenses; (iii) Receives per diem; or (iv) Was appointed formally or informally. (B) “Special state employee” does not include a constitutional officeholder or an ex officio or nonvoting member of an entity described in subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section. (b) A special state employee shall disclose a conflict of interest in a procurement matter before the covered board: (1) Either: (A) In writing to the head of a covered board; or (B) Orally or in writing at a public meeting of the covered board if the disclosure is included in the minutes of the public meeting; and (2) By filing a conflict of interest disclosure report with the Secretary of State within five (5) business days of the date the special state employee becomes aware of the conflict of interest. (c) A special state employee shall not vote on, receive or read confidential materials related to, participate in discussion of, or attempt to influence the covered board's decision on a procurement matter if the special state employee has a conflict of interest in the procurement matter. (d) A special state employee who is a lobbyist registered under § 21-8-601 shall recuse himself or herself from a procurement matter before the covered board if: (1) The special state employee receives compensation as a lobbyist from an entity involved in the procurement matter; or (2) The procurement matter involves a person or entity that is a competitor of a lobbying client of the special state employee. (e) A special state employee or former special state employee shall not: (1) Represent an entity other than the state in a matter in which he or she participated in making a decision, rendering approval or disapproval, making a recommendation, or rendering advice on behalf of the covered board; or (2) Assist or represent a party for contingent compensation in a matter involving a covered board other than in a judicial, administrative, or quasi-judicial proceeding. (f) A former special state employee shall not lobby the members or staff of a covered board of which he or she is a former member for one (1) year after the cessation of the special state employee's membership on the covered board. (g) A contract entered into by a covered board, including a renewal, extension, or amendment of a contract entered into by a covered board, shall include a statement that no special state employee has been influenced by the vendor in the course of the procurement. (h)(1) A complaint about a violation of this section may be filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission. (2) A violation of this section is grounds for discipline or removal of the special state employee by the commission. (i) The commission shall promulgate rules regarding disciplinary and removal proceedings for special state employees.