27-16-509. Reciprocal agreements — Definition.

27-16-509. Reciprocal agreements — Definition. (a)(1) As used in this section, “reciprocal agreement” means the Driver License Agreement or a similar proposed compact regarding the uniform transfer of driver's license information to prevent a person from having multiple driving records in multiple states or jurisdictions. (2) “Reciprocal agreement” includes an agreement that: (A) Provides a consistent method of sharing driving records and updating violations in multiple states or jurisdictions, including ticket and violation information; and (B) Takes advantage of technological advances in the transmission of data. (b) The purpose of this section is to allow the State of Arkansas to negotiate and consummate a reciprocal agreement with the duly authorized officials or representatives of the following: (1) A state or territory of the United States; (2) A state, territory, district, or province of Canada or Mexico; or (3) The government of the United States, Canada, or Mexico. (c)(1) The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration may negotiate and consummate a reciprocal agreement as provided under this section. (2) If the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration enters into a reciprocal agreement under this section, then he or she shall exercise due regard for the advantage and convenience of resident drivers and citizens of the State of Arkansas. (3) The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration shall only enter into a reciprocal agreement that extends equal or greater privileges and exemptions to Arkansas motor vehicle drivers as compared to the privileges and exemptions provided to the other entity's motor vehicle drivers. (d)(1) The Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration shall enter into a reciprocal agreement under this section by promulgating rules in compliance with the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act, § 25-15-201 et seq. (2) The reciprocal agreement shall become effective as outlined in the reciprocal agreement. (e)(1)(A) If the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration enters into a reciprocal agreement under this section, then he or she shall submit a report to the following: (i) The cochairs of the Legislative Council; (ii) The Chair of the House Committee on Public Transportation and the Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Transportation, Technology, and Legislative Affairs; and (iii) The Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research. (B) The report shall be submitted within sixty (60) days after the reciprocal agreement becomes effective but no later than one hundred twenty (120) days before the convening of the Eighty-Sixth General Assembly regardless of the effective date of the reciprocal agreement. (2) The report under this subsection shall include the following: (A) Drafts of legislation that make changes to the law that are necessary to comply with the reciprocal agreement; (B) A report that explains the drafts of legislation; (C) Background information related to the recommended changes in the law, including an explanation of how other states and governments are responding to the reciprocal agreement; and (D) Any other information that is requested by the cochairs of the Legislative Council, the Chair of the House Committee on Public Transportation and the Chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation, Technology, and Legislative Affairs, or the Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research.