Arkansas Public Records Law

= Short Description =

Who is covered?

 * The governor and state legislature, as well as advisory boards that either create, are subject to the state's public records laws. State courts are exempt under the doctrine of separation of powers and courts are allowed to set their own rules for disclosure.

What is the process like?

 * Government agencies are required to respond to records request or acknowledge that they were received within 3 days (the average among all states is 7 days). While the state can charge fees, these fees may not include costs relating to staff time. The state does allow requesters to ask for a document in electronic format.

Most recent changes?
= Legislation =

The following are bills introduced in 2011:


 * SB 219 - A bill to extend exemptions relating to public water systems set to expire July 2011.
 * SB 946 - A bill allowing county representatives to charge a "reasonable fee" for mass duplication or copying of public records for non-press, commercial entities.
 * SB 221 - A bill to require state agencies to report financial expenditures, if they are considered a public record, in an electronic format.
 * SB 204 - A bill to prevent prison inmates from accessing public records.

= Articles, Blog Posts, etc =
 * AP Interview: Martin claims Arkansas FOI 'abuse' - Desert News, Jun. 17, 2011
 * Huckabee Hearts Secrecy - Mother Jones, Apr. 1, 2011
 * Citizens Have a right to know about the criminal records of elected officials - Advance Arkansas Institute, Feb. 23, 2011
 * Putting Arkansas Budget Online Saves Money - Advance Arkansas Institute, Feb. 22, 2011
 * Bill to close records to inmates advances - Arkansas News, Feb. 3, 2011