Legislation & Regulation

I want to start this year off with a little refresher on facts and rules to which you may not be aware, or may have forgotten. As you all know, running for office is extremely costly. Constituents and political action committees (PACs) open their checkbooks to ensure their political candidate makes it into office and will consider their views before casting a vote. In the Arkansas races, PACs spent more than three-quarters of a million dollars on state Senate and House races alone, according to Arkansas Business. Nationally, BankPAC, ABA’s federal associate PAC, contributed over three million dollars as of November 6. Out of the eleven new members of the Senate, BankPAC contributed to ten of those candidates. Thirty-five of the forty newly elected House members were recipients of BankPAC contributions. BankPAC contributes to carefully chosen candidates with pro-bank platforms or those with financial industry experience, such as the case with Congressman-elect French Hill. Because of the Arkansas Constitutional Amendment stemming from the passage of Issue 3, corporations may not contribute to candidates. Personal contributions only are acceptable. However, I will pay careful attention to any proposed amendments or rules that pass this session and let you know if a change back to re-allow corporate contributions is on the horizon. As of press time, a shell bill regarding Issue 3 has been filed, so there may be a possibility for a change of that nature, although that change would not be swift. If you are so moved, you may contact your state representative to discuss that matter. Keep in mind that corporations may continue to contribute to ABA PAC. I hope you had the happiest of New Years and are ready for the next session. If you are interested in contacting your state representative during session but do not know where to begin, reach out to me and I will help facilitate that communication. I will be glad to provide talking points, introductions, and whatever else will assist you in reaching your government relations goals.

ava.franks@arkbankers.org 501.378.3606 office 501.920.3963 cell Political Action Committees

VP / DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AVA FRANKS

We’re kicking off the new year with a new ABA PAC logo!

LINKING PRINCIPLES TO POLICY

2014 ABA Government relAtions summit

MARCH 24–26 WAsHinGton, DC

Representative Michael John Gray, District 47, is greeted by Sean Williams, First National Bank of Wynne.

ABA Director of Government Relations Ava Franks (right) greets Representatives Rick Beck, District 65, and Mary Bentley, District 73.

Larry Wilson, First Arkansas Bank & Trust, Jacksonville, chats with Jack Ladyman, District 59, over lunch.

Representative Trevor Drown, District 68, is greeted by ABA EVP/COO Aaron Gamewell. ABA President & CEO Bill Holmes meets Representative Justin Gonzales, District 19, during the ABA’s Legislative Luncheon on December 11, 2014.

ABA Hosts Legislative Luncheon The ABA hosted a Legislative Luncheon on December 11, while the lawmakers were in Little Rock for a week-long orientation session. The event gave legislators the chance to meet ABA staff and bankers, and allowed incoming lawmakers to forge new connections within the banking industry.

Representative Charlie Collins, District 84, sits down with Susie Smith, Simmons Bank, Little Rock.

Arkansas legislators took a break from their week-long orientation for an ABA-hosted luncheon.