Spradlin v. Arkansas Ethics Commission

Martin G. Gilbert, Special Chief Justice.

Appellants challenge the constitutionality of that portion of Initiated Act No. 1 of 1990 (the “Act”) which created the Arkansas Ethics Commission (the “Commission”) on the ground that by providing for the appointment of one of the commissioners by the Chief Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, the Act violates the separation of powers provision of the Constitution of Arkansas. Appellants also challenge the specific appointment made by the Chief Justice as not meeting the requirement of the Act that one of the commissioners be a “member of a minority…