CONCERNING THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESENTATION OF FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENTS CONCERNING THE FISCAL IMPACT OF STATEWIDE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM MEASURES AND LEGISLATIVELY REFERRED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.

Arkansas voters get ballot cost estimates

Arkansas ballots must include fiscal statements for statewide initiatives, referendums, and legislature-referred constitutional amendments that affect state finances or taxes. The Attorney General checks statewide measures for financial impact within 10 business days after sponsors submit an original draft. After certifying a measure with financial impact, the Attorney General sends it to the state finance department within 3 business days. For legislature-referred amendments, the finance department decides whether there is a financial impact. The department prepares an unbiased, good-faith estimate covering total impact over the relevant period, tax changes, debt, and state costs or savings. Tax estimates include dollar amounts by tax type and percentage differences for rate changes. Statements identify any required funding sources and include an analysis of each source. The statement limit is 100 words, plus 100 words for each revenue source created or affected. Each funding-source analysis is limited to 100 words; numerals and symbols do not count toward word limits. Statements longer than 200 words require a ballot version of no more than 200 words. Statements must reach the Secretary of State by the 76th day before the general election. The Secretary sends them with certified ballot titles and popular names to election boards at least 18 days before the election. Sponsors pay no preparation fee and may submit supporting information. The department may request agency information with a deadline or state that it cannot determine the impact. Measures certified before the law took effect must be submitted for review within 10 business days after that date.