HB1831

House Bill 1831 amends Arkansas Code § 25-16-718 regarding the management and distribution of settlement funds and civil penalties received by the Attorney General's office. The bill mandates the creation of specific accounts for funds resulting from litigation or civil penalties where the law does not otherwise specify a use. It clarifies the permissible distribution categories for these funds, including restitution to consumers, transfers to state agencies with a nexus to the litigation, payment of attorney fees, and operational expenses for the Attorney General's office. Additionally, the bill establishes a new requirement for the Attorney General's office to submit detailed quarterly reports to the Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee. These reports must outline fund receipts, disbursement plans, rationale for payments to specific entities, and current unappropriated cash fund balances.