reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
AR Code § 17-24-508 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 24 - Collection Agencies|Subchapter 5 - Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act|§ 17-24-508. Validation of debts

 (a) At the time of the initial communication or within five (5) days after the initial communication with a consumer in connection with the collection of a debt, unless the consumer has paid the debt, a debt collector shall send the consumer a written notice containing:  (1) The amount of the debt;  (2) The name of the creditor to whom the debt is owed;  (3) A statement that unless the consumer within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notice disputes the validity of the debt or a portion of the debt, the debt will be assumed to be valid by the debt collector;  (4) A statement that if the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period that the debt or a portion of the debt is disputed, the debt collector will obtain verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment against the consumer and a copy of the verification or judgment will be mailed to the consumer by the debt collector; and  (5) A statement that upon the consumer's written request within the thirty-day period, the debt collector will provide the consumer with the name and address of the original creditor if different from the current creditor.    (b) If the consumer notifies the debt collector in writing within the thirty-day period described in subsection (a) of this section that the debt or a portion of the debt is disputed or that the consumer requests the name and address of the original creditor, the debt collector shall cease collection of the debt or a disputed portion of the debt until the debt collector obtains verification of the debt or a copy of a judgment or the name and address of the original creditor, and a copy of the verification or judgment or name and address of the original creditor is mailed to the consumer by the debt collector.  (c) The failure of a consumer to dispute the validity of a debt under this section is not an admission of liability by the consumer.
AR Code § 17-24-509 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 24 - Collection Agencies|Subchapter 5 - Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act|§ 17-24-509. Multiple debts

 If a consumer owes multiple debts and makes a single payment to a debt collector with respect to the debts, the debt collector may not apply the payment to a debt that is disputed by the consumer and, if applicable, shall apply the payment in accordance with the consumer's directions.
AR Code § 17-24-510 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 24 - Collection Agencies|Subchapter 5 - Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act|§ 17-24-510. Legal actions by debt collectors

 (a) A debt collector who brings a legal action on a debt against a consumer shall:  (1) For an action to enforce an interest in real property securing the consumer's obligation, bring the action in the county where all or part of the real property is located; or  (2) For an action not described in subdivision (a)(1) of this section, bring the action only in the county:  (A) In which the consumer signed the contract sued upon; or  (B) In which the consumer resides at the commencement of the action.      (b) This subchapter does not create a cause of action by a debt collector.
AR Code § 17-24-511 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 24 - Collection Agencies|Subchapter 5 - Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act|§ 17-24-511. Furnishing certain deceptive forms

 (a) It is unlawful to design, compile, and furnish a form knowing that the form would be used to create the false belief in a consumer that a person other than the creditor of the consumer is participating in the collection of or in an attempt to collect a debt the consumer allegedly owes the creditor, when in fact the person is not participating in collecting or attempting to collect the debt.  (b) A person who violates this section is liable to the same extent and in the same manner as a debt collector is liable under § 17-24-512 for failure to comply with this subchapter.
AR Code § 17-24-512 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 24 - Collection Agencies|Subchapter 5 - Arkansas Fair Debt Collection Practices Act|§ 17-24-512. Civil liability

 (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, a debt collector who fails to comply with this subchapter with respect to a person is liable to the person in an amount equal to the sum of:  (1) An actual damage sustained by the person as a result of the failure;  (2) In the case of:  (A) An action by an individual, the additional damages as the court may allow not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000); or  (B) A class action:  (i) The amount each named plaintiff could recover under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section; and  (ii) The amount the court may allow for all other class members without regard to a minimum individual recovery not to exceed the lesser of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) or one percent (1%) of the net worth of the debt collector; and      (3)  (A) In the case of a successful action to enforce the foregoing liability, the costs of the action, together with a reasonable attorney's fee as determined by the court.  (B) If the court finds that an action under this section was brought in bad faith or for the purpose of harassment, the court may award to the defendant attorney's fees reasonable in relation to the work expended and costs.      (b) In determining the amount of liability in an action under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall consider among other relevant factors:  (1) In an individual action under subdivision (a)(2)(A) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of the noncompliance, and the extent to which the noncompliance was intentional; or  (2) In a class action under subdivision (a)(2)(B) of this section, the frequency and persistence of noncompliance by the debt collector, the nature of the noncompliance, the resources of the debt collector, the number of persons adversely affected, and the extent to which the debt collector's noncompliance was intentional.    (c) A debt collector may not be held liable in an action brought under this subchapter if the debt collector shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the violation was not intentional and resulted from a bona fide error notwithstanding the maintenance of procedures reasonably adapted to avoid the error.  (d) An action to enforce a liability created by this subchapter may be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction within one (1) year from the date on which the violation occurs.  (e) A provision of this section imposing liability shall not apply to an act done or omitted in good faith in conformity with an advisory opinion of the Federal Trade Commission addressing appropriate conduct under the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1692 — 1692p, notwithstanding that after the act or omission has occurred, the opinion is amended, rescinded, or determined by judicial or other authority to be invalid for a reason.
AR Code § 17-25-101 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-101. Definition. [Effective until July 1, 2020.]

 (a)  (1) As used in this chapter, “contractor” means any person, firm, partnership, copartnership, association, corporation, or other organization, or any combination thereof, that for a fixed price, commission, fee, or wage attempts to or submits a bid to construct or demolish, or contracts or undertakes to construct or demolish, or assumes charge, in a supervisory capacity or otherwise, or manages the construction, erection, alteration, demolition, or repair, or has or have constructed, erected, altered, demolished, or repaired, under his or her, their, or its direction, any building, apartment, condominium, highway, sewer, utility, grading, or any other improvement or structure on public or private property for lease, rent, resale, public access, or similar purpose, except single-family residences, when the cost of the work to be done, or done, in the State of Arkansas by the contractor, including, but not limited to, labor and materials, is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or more.  (2) However, when a person or an entity acts as a contractor in the construction, erection, alteration, demolition, or repair of his or her own or its own property, such action shall not result in the person's or entity's being required to obtain a license, but the person or entity shall comply with all other provisions of this chapter.    (b) However, the fifty-thousand-dollar exception shall not apply to any project of construction in which any of the construction work necessary to complete the project, except any in-progress change orders, is divided into separate contracts of amounts less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), a purpose being to circumvent the provisions of this chapter.  (c) It is the intention of this definition to include all improvements, demolition, or structures, excepting only single-family residences.  (d)  (1) Materials purchased by a prime contractor from a third party shall not be considered as part of the subcontractor's project if the prime contractor has the proper classification listed on a current contractor's license for the work being performed by the subcontractor.  (2) Materials purchased by a person or an entity acting as a contractor in the construction, erection, alteration, or repair of his or her own or its own property from a third party shall not be considered as a part of the subcontractor's project, provided that the subcontract is for wood framing, shingle roofing, painting, floor covering, concrete labor, or installation of playground equipment.
AR Code § 17-25-102 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-102. Exemptions. [Effective until July 1, 2020.]

 The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:   (1) The practice of contracting as defined in § 17-25-101 by an authorized representative or representatives of the United States Government, State of Arkansas, incorporated town, city or county, or other political subdivision in this state;  (2) Architects and engineers, whose only financial interest in a project shall be the architectural or engineering fees for preparing plans, specifications, surveys, and supervision that is customarily furnished by architects and engineers; and  (3)  (A) Manufacturers who produce equipment to be installed in the State of Arkansas and have the responsibility for the installation of the equipment, which would require a license under this chapter, if the installation is performed by a contractor properly licensed under this chapter.  (B) The Contractors Licensing Board shall have the authority to define “manufacturers” as it is used in this subdivision (3).
AR Code § 17-25-102 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-102. Exemptions. [Effective July 1, 2020.]

 The following shall be exempted from the provisions of this chapter:   (1) The practice of contracting as defined in § 17-25-101 by an authorized representative or representatives of the United States Government, State of Arkansas, incorporated town, city or county, or other political subdivision in this state;  (2) Architects and engineers, whose only financial interest in a project shall be the architectural or engineering fees for preparing plans, specifications, surveys, and supervision that is customarily furnished by architects and engineers;  (3)  (A) Manufacturers who produce equipment to be installed in the State of Arkansas and have the responsibility for the installation of the equipment, which would require a license under this chapter, if the installation is performed by a contractor properly licensed under this chapter.  (B) The Contractors Licensing Board shall have the authority to define “manufacturers” as it is used in this subdivision (3); and    (4)  (A) Subcontractors of a licensed contractor who are properly registered with the board under this chapter.  (B) The board may issue rules necessary for the:  (i) Implementation of a registration process;  (ii) Determination of application fees for registration; and  (iii) Establishment of civil penalties in the same amounts and under the same procedures as for other license holders under this chapter.
AR Code § 17-25-104 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-104. Injunction. [Effective until July 1, 2020.]

 When any contractor not licensed by the Contractors Licensing Board shall engage or attempt to engage in the business of contracting as herein defined, the board shall have the right to go into the proper court in the jurisdiction in which the work is being performed and, upon affidavit, secure a writ of injunction, without bond, restraining and prohibiting the contractor from performance of the work then being done or about to commence.
AR Code § 17-25-104 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-104. Injunction. [Effective July 1, 2020.]

 When any contractor engages or attempts to engage in the business of contracting as herein defined, in violation of this chapter, the Contractors Licensing Board shall have the right to go into a court where venue is proper and is of competent jurisdiction and, upon affidavit, secure a writ of injunction, without bond, restraining and prohibiting the contractor from performance of the work then being done or about to commence.
AR Code § 17-25-105 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-105. Form of indictment

 In all prosecutions for violations of the provisions of this chapter for engaging in the business of contracting without a certificate of authority, it shall be sufficient to allege in the indictment, affidavit, or complaint that “‘A.’ unlawfully engaged in business as a contractor, without authority from the Contractors Licensing Board, State of Arkansas, to do so.”
AR Code § 17-25-107 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 1 - General Provisions|§ 17-25-107. Abuse, neglect, or exploitation. [Effective July 1, 2020.]

 (a) The definitions under § 5-28-101 apply to this chapter.  (b) Any contractor licensed or registered under this chapter that is found by the Contractors Licensing Board or the Residential Contractors Committee to have abused, neglected, or exploited an endangered person or an impaired person while engaging in performing the services of a contractor as defined under § 17-25-101 is subject to emergency license or registration suspension under §§ 17-25-309 and 17-25-510.  (c) The board may provide evidence, documentation, reports, and information related to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an endangered person or an impaired person to any entity with the authority to enforce § 5-28-101 et seq.
AR Code § 17-25-201 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-201. Creation — Members

 (a) There is created a Contractors Licensing Board, consisting of seven (7) members, who shall be appointed by the Governor.  (b)  (1) Each member shall be at least thirty-five (35) years of age and must have been a resident of the State of Arkansas for the previous five (5) years.  (2)  (A) Five (5) members shall be contractors of not fewer than ten (10) years' experience in responsible charge of construction projects of a magnitude consistent with the duties of their offices. Each must hold an unexpired contractor's license issued under this chapter. Each must, at the time of appointment, maintain his or her principal place of business in Arkansas.  (B) At least one (1) member of the board shall have had as a larger part of his or her business the construction of sewers and waterworks.  (C) At least one (1) member of the board shall have had as a larger part of his or her business the construction of buildings.  (D) At least one (1) member of the board shall have had as a larger part of his or her business the construction of highways.    (3) Two (2) members of the board shall not be actively engaged in or retired from the profession of contracting. One (1) shall represent consumers, and one (1) shall be sixty (60) years of age or older and shall represent the elderly. Both shall be appointed from the state at large subject to confirmation by the Senate. The two (2) positions may not be held by the same person. Both shall be full voting members but shall not participate in the grading of examinations.    (c)  (1) Members shall serve five-year terms.  (2) Terms shall expire on December 31 of the fifth year.  (3) Each member shall hold over after the expiration of his or her term until his or her successor shall be duly appointed and qualified.  (4) If a vacancy shall occur in the board for any cause, it shall be filled by appointment by the Governor.  (5) The Governor may remove any member of the board at any time for misconduct, incompetency, or neglect of duty.    (d) Each member of the board shall receive a certificate of appointment from the Governor and, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of his or her office, shall file with the Secretary of State the constitutional oath of office.  (e) Each member of the board may receive expense reimbursement and stipends in accordance with § 25-16-901 et seq.
AR Code § 17-25-202 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-202. Organization and functions

 (a) The Contractors Licensing Board shall elect a chair, vice chair, and secretary, each to serve in his or her respective capacity for one (1) year. Officers shall be elected by the board annually.  (b) The board shall have two (2) regular meetings in each year. One (1) meeting shall be in the month of February, and one (1) meeting shall be in the month of August, for the purpose of transacting such business as may properly come before it, on call of the Chair of the Contractors Licensing Board.  (c) Special or adjourned meetings may be held at such times as the board may provide by the bylaws which it shall adopt, or at such times as the board may, by reasonable resolution, provide.  (d) Due notice of each meeting and the time and place thereof shall be given to each member in such manner as the bylaws shall provide.  (e) Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum.  (f) The board shall adopt a seal for its own use and shall have on it the words, “Contractors Licensing Board, State of Arkansas, Seal”, and the secretary shall have charge and custody of it.
AR Code § 17-25-203 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-203. Powers

 (a) The Contractors Licensing Board shall have power to make such bylaws and rules for its operation as it shall consider appropriate, provided that they are not in conflict with the laws of the State of Arkansas.  (b) All expenses incurred by the board for the administration of this chapter are authorized to be paid by the board.  (c) The board, or any committee thereof, shall be entitled to the services of the Attorney General or other state legal counsel as deemed appropriate, in connection with the operation of the affairs of the board. Additional legal counsel may be employed by the board from time to time as it may deem necessary.
AR Code § 17-25-204 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-204. Employees

 The Contractors Licensing Board in consultation with the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing may employ a chief administrative employee, also known as “administrator”, who shall possess such qualifications as may be determined by the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board. In addition, the board may employ such additional professional and clerical employees as may be necessary for the operation of the board and its various functions and pay salaries thereto as may be authorized by law.
AR Code § 17-25-205 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-205. Disposition of funds

 The fees of the Contractors Licensing Board shall be deposited into banks to be used by the Contractors Licensing Board in the manner prescribed by law, similar to the accounts of other examining and licensing boards of the state, and shall be audited under rules prescribed by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration.
AR Code § 17-25-206 (2020)
2020 Arkansas Code|Title 17 - Professions, Occupations, and Businesses|Subtitle 2 - Nonmedical Professions|Chapter 25 - Contractors|Subchapter 2 - Contractors Licensing Board|§ 17-25-206. Records and reports

 (a) The Secretary of the Contractors Licensing Board shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Contractors Licensing Board.  (b) The Secretary of the Contractors Licensing Board shall keep a register of all applications for license showing for each:  (1) The date of application, name, qualification, place of business, and place of residence;  (2) Whether the license was granted or refused; and  (3) A complete transcript of the proceedings, including evidence submitted by applicants, licensees, the board, or otherwise, at any hearing.    (c) The books and register of this board, including transcripts of proceedings, shall be prima facie evidence of all matters recorded therein. A certified copy of such books or register, including a transcript of proceedings, under the seal of the board and attested by the Secretary of the Contractors Licensing Board, shall be received in evidence in all courts of the state in lieu of the original.  (d) A roster showing the names and places of business and of residence of all licensed contractors shall be prepared annually by the secretary.  (e) On or before August 1 of each year, the board shall submit to the Secretary of the Department of Labor and Licensing a report of its transactions for the preceding year and shall file with the Secretary of State a copy of the report, together with a complete statement of receipts and expenditures of the board attested by the affidavit of the Chair of the Contractors Licensing Board and the Secretary of the Contractors Licensing Board and a copy of the roster of licensed contractors.  (f) A record shall be made and preserved by the board of each examination of applicant or licensee. The findings of the board thereon and a certified copy of the record shall be furnished to any applicant or licensee desiring to appeal from the findings of the board, as provided in § 17-25-312, upon payment of the costs of transcribing the record.