§ 23-115-203 - Qualifications of commission members.

23-115-203. Qualifications of commission members.

(a) (1) In making appointments to the Arkansas Lottery Commission, the appointing authorities under 23-115-202 shall consider racial, gender, and geographical diversity among the membership as well as legal, financial, or marketing experience.

(2) Individuals appointed to the commission shall be residents of the State of Arkansas.

(b) (1) An individual considered for appointment to the commission shall apply to the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police for a state and federal criminal background check, to be conducted by the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

(2) The state and federal criminal background check shall conform to the applicable federal standards and shall include the taking of fingerprints.

(3) The applicant shall sign a consent to the release of information for the state and federal criminal background check.

(4) The commission shall be responsible for the payment of any fee associated with the state and federal criminal background check.

(5) Upon completion of the state and federal criminal background check, the Identification Bureau of the Department of Arkansas State Police shall forward to the appointing authority all releasable information obtained concerning the applicant.

(c) An individual shall not be appointed as a commission member if the individual has:

(1) Been convicted of a felony or a gambling offense in a state or federal court of the United States;

(2) Been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude; or

(3) Entered into a plea agreement to avoid felony prosecution.

(d) Each member of the commission, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of a commissioner, shall file with the Secretary of State the constitutional oath of office.

(e) Upon the end of his or her term, a former member of the commission shall not:

(1) Represent a vendor or retailer before the commission for a period of two (2) years after the end of the former member's term; or

(2) Engage in lobbying on any matter related to the operation or conduct of lotteries under this chapter for a period of two (2) years after the end of the former member's term.