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Rep. Ray escalates the assault on the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act
The Arkansas House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs Committee is scheduled to hear an amended version of House Bill 1610 by Rep. Mary Bentley, a Republican from Perryville, on Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Also on the agenda is House Bill 1726 by Rep. David Ray, R-Maumelle. Both bills would severely alter the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
The attack on your right to know the hows and whys of government decisions in Arkansas grows more intense in the 94th General Assembly.
Legislation filed Monday by Republican Rep. David Ray of Maumelle bulldozes the public records portion of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967. House Bill 1726 hides the following documents from citizens:
Almost any governmental document, state or local, if an attorney is involved.
Any documents regarding an agency’s “deliberative process … in which opinions are expressed or policies or actions are formulated” when related to policy determinations or agency actions.
Any data or records produced or collected by or for a college or university or government agency performing research.
Records of ongoing police investigations “and any evidence or materials likely to be used by law enforcement in a criminal prosecution.” The current law exempts only materials that are “investigatory in nature.”
Any documents regarding an agency’s “deliberative process … in which opinions are expressed or policies or actions are formulated” when related to policy determinations or agency actions.
Any data or records produced or collected by or for a college or university or government agency performing research.
Records of ongoing police investigations “and any evidence or materials likely to be used by law enforcement in a criminal prosecution.” The current law exempts only materials that are “investigatory in nature.”
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https://arkansasadvocate.com/2023/03/29/a-clear-assault-on-your-right-to-keep-tabs-on-your-public-officials/