Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023) › Title 19 - PUBLIC FINANCE (§§ 19-1-201 — 19) › Chapter 11 - PURCHASING AND CONTRACTS (§§ 19-11-101 — 19-11-1408) › Subchapter 7 - ETHICS (§§ 19-11-701 — 19-11-718) › Section 19-11-709 - Restrictions on employment of present and former employees - Definition

(a)
Contemporaneous Employment Prohibited.
It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any employee who is involved in procurement to become or be, while such an employee, the employee of any party contracting with the state agency by which the employee is employed.
(b)
Restrictions on Former Employees in Matters Connected with Their Former Duties.
(1)
Permanent Disqualification of Former Employee Personally Involved in a Particular Matter.
It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any former employee knowingly to act as a principal or as an agent for anyone other than the state in connection with any:
(A)
Judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling, or other determination;
(B)
Contract;
(C)
Claim; or
(D)
Charge or controversy,
in which the employee participated personally and substantially through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise while an employee, where the state is a party or has a direct and substantial interest.
(2)
One-Year Representation Restriction Regarding Matters for Which a Former Employee Was Officially Responsible.
It shall be a breach of ethical standards for any former employee, within one (1) year after cessation of the former employee's official responsibility in connection with any:
(A)
Judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling, or other determination;
(B)
Contract;
(C)
Claim; or
(D)
Charge or controversy,
knowingly to act as a principal or as an agent for anyone other than the state in matters which were within the former employee's official responsibility, where the state is a party or has a direct or substantial interest.
(c)
Disqualification of Partners.
(1)
When Partner Is a State Employee.
It shall be a breach of ethical standards for a person who is a partner of an employee knowingly to act as a principal or as an agent for anyone other than the state in connection with any:
(A)
Judicial or other proceeding, application, request for a ruling, or other determination;
(B)
Contract;
(C)
Claim; or
(D)
Charge or controversy,
in which the employee either participates personally and substantially through decision, approval, disapproval, recommendation, the rendering of advice, investigation, or otherwise, or which is the subject of the employee's official responsibility, where the state is a party or has a direct and substantial interest.
(2)
When a Partner Is a Former State Employee.
It shall be a breach of ethical standards for a partner of a former employee knowingly to act as a principal or as an agent for anyone other than the state where such former employee is barred under subsection (b) of this section.
(d)
Selling to State After Termination of Employment Is Prohibited.
(1)
It is a breach of ethical standards for a former employee, unless the former employee's last annual salary based on the state fiscal year did not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000), to engage in selling or attempting to sell commodities or services, including technical or professional consultant services, to the state for one (1) year following the date employment ceased.
(2)
As used in this subsection, "sell" means:
(A)
Signing a bid, proposal, or contract;
(B)
Negotiating a contract;
(C)
Contacting any employee for the purpose of obtaining, negotiating, or discussing changes in specifications, price, cost allowances, or other terms of a contract;
(D)
Settling disputes concerning performance of a contract; or
(E)
Any other liaison activity with a view toward the ultimate consummation of a sale although the actual contract for the sale is subsequently negotiated by another person.
(e)
(1)
This section is not intended to preclude a former employee from accepting employment with private industry solely because his or her employer is a contractor with this state.
(2)
This section is not intended to preclude an employee, a former employee, or a partner of an employee or former employee from filing an action as a taxpayer for alleged violations of this subchapter.
Amended by Act 2015, No. 966,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.
Acts 1979, No. 483, § 8; A.S.A. 1947, § 14-1108; Acts 2003, No. 1093, § 3.