AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION PROVIDING THAT A GOVERNMENTAL BODY SHALL NOT USE STATE OR LOCAL FUNDS TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH A LOBBYIST FOR LOBBYING PURPOSES.

HJR 1006 is a proposed constitutional amendment (not enacted legislation) that would prohibit Arkansas governmental bodies (including state agencies, counties, cities, and school districts) from using public funds to hire lobbyists or pay for lobbying services on their behalf. It specifically bans using state or local funds to contract with lobbyists, cover membership dues for lobbying organizations, or pay for lobbying activities through third parties. The amendment defines "lobbying" broadly as efforts to influence legislative or administrative actions and clarifies that governments may still hire staff directly for lobbying (without using public funds for external lobbyist contracts). The measure was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn by its author on April 3, 2025, and never advanced to a vote.