Arkansas House panel approves whistleblower rewards

— An Arkansas House panel has approved a measure allowing state employees to receive an award if they expose waste and inefficiencies that lead to savings for the state.

The House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs voted Friday to advance a proposal that would amend the state's whistleblower law. Under the bill, if an employee's report leads to savings for the state, the employee could receive 10 percent of those savings.

Republican Rep. Nate Bell is sponsoring the legislation. He said the financial incentive is needed to deter inefficiency in government. Some lawmakers on the panel said they were concerned it would cost the state money to investigate more reports of waste.

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