Arkansas lawmakers vote to increase maximum ethics fines

LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas lawmakers have given final approval to increasing maximum fines the state’s Ethics Commission can levy.

The Senate voted 32-2 Tuesday for the proposal to raise the maximum fine for an ethics violation from $2,000 to $3,500.

The measure now heads to Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s desk.

The proposal is part of a package of bills legislative leaders introduced in response to ongoing federal corruption investigations that have ensnared several former lawmakers. The Senate also unanimously approved and sent the governor another part of that package that expands a law banning lawmakers from serving as lobbyists while in office to include constitutional officers.

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