TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING REPORTS OF IMPROPER OR ILLEGAL PRACTICES.

HB 1122 amends Arkansas law to clarify and strengthen the process for investigating improper financial practices by public officials. The bill requires the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee to refer cases of noncompliance to the Attorney General or local prosecuting attorney, who must complete investigations within 45 days and notify about potential criminal charges within 5 days. It grants the Attorney General subpoena power to obtain records from public servants and financial institutions, and designates all records gathered under this law as confidential, exempt from public disclosure under Arkansas' Freedom of Information Act. This bill directly affects state and local government officials, the Attorney General's office, and prosecuting attorneys.