HB1610
To Amend The Law Relating To Public Meetings Under The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967.
Last Action (May 1, 2023): Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment.
Sponsors
AI-Generated Summary
House Bill 1610 amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act of 1967 regarding the definition of public meetings. Specifically, the bill clarifies that the requirement for meetings to be open to the public applies to formal, informal, special, or regular gatherings involving more than one-third of the members of governing bodies. This includes municipalities, counties, townships, school districts, and any state-level boards, bureaus, commissions, or organizations that receive or expend public funds. The bill explicitly excludes grand juries from this requirement. The primary intent is to provide statutory clarity on what constitutes a quorum subject to open meeting laws for various public entities in Arkansas.
Potential Impact Analysis
Who Might Benefit?
The primary beneficiaries include members of governing bodies, public boards, and municipal commissions who receive clearer legal guidelines on what constitutes a public meeting, potentially reducing ambiguity in their administrative operations. Additionally, the public benefits from the explicit codification of transparency requirements for gatherings involving more than one-third of the members of these governing bodies.
Who Might Suffer?
Entities or individuals that may be negatively impacted include those who prefer or currently rely on informal discussions among a subset of members (specifically those between more than one-third and less than a full quorum) that were previously not clearly defined as public meetings. Additionally, organizations that may have previously interpreted 'public meeting' requirements differently might face increased compliance burdens or scrutiny regarding their meeting practices.
Vote Records
Third Reading
March 30, 2023View individual votes (100)
| Legislator | Party | Chamber | Vote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fred Allen | Democrat | House | NV |
| Lane Jean | Republican | House | NV |
| Stephen Meeks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Perry | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jon Eubanks | Republican | House | NV |
| Matthew Shepherd | Republican | House | NV |
| Jeff Wardlaw | Republican | House | Nay |
| Bruce Cozart | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Whitaker | Democrat | House | NV |
| Deborah Ferguson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Charlene Fite | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mike Holcomb | Republican | House | Nay |
| Stephen Magie | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Mark McElroy | Republican | House | Nay |
| Josh Miller | Republican | House | Yea |
| Richard Womack | Republican | House | Nay |
| Jack Ladyman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Robin Lundstrum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Dwight Tosh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Lanny Fite | Republican | House | Yea |
| Grant Hodges | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick Beck | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mary Bentley | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Eaves | Republican | House | Yea |
| Justin Gonzales | Republican | House | Yea |
| Julie Mayberry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ken Ferguson | Democrat | House | NV |
| Ron Mcnair | Republican | House | Nay |
| Milton Nicks | Democrat | House | NV |
| Marcus Richmond | Republican | House | NV |
| Vivian Flowers | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Deann Vaught | Republican | House | NV |
| Karilyn Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Sonia Eubanks Barker | Republican | House | Yea |
| Frances Cavenaugh | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jack Fortner | Republican | House | NV |
| Jimmie Gazaway | Republican | House | NV |
| Roger Lynch | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Maddox | Republican | House | Yea |
| Aaron Pilkington | Republican | House | Yea |
| Johnny Rye | Republican | House | Yea |
| Les Warren | Republican | House | Nay |
| Danny Watson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carlton Wing | Republican | House | NV |
| Austin Mccollum | Republican | House | Yea |
| Carol Dalby | Republican | House | NV |
| Steve Hollowell | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brian Evans | Republican | House | NV |
| Lee Johnson | Republican | House | NV |
| Andrew Collins | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Stan Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| Harlan Breaux | Republican | House | NV |
| Cameron Cooper | Republican | House | Nay |
| Nicole Clowney | Democrat | House | NV |
| Cindy Crawford | Republican | House | Nay |
| Denise Garner | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Tippi McCullough | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jay Richardson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jamie Scott | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Jim Wooten | Republican | House | NV |
| Denise Ennett | Democrat | House | Yea |
| Richard McGrew | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joy Springer | Democrat | House | NV |
| Howard Beaty | Republican | House | NV |
| Tony Furman | Republican | House | Yea |
| Kendon Underwood | Republican | House | Yea |
| David Ray | Republican | House | Yea |
| Mark Berry | Republican | House | Yea |
| John Carr | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rick McClure | Republican | House | Yea |
| Keith Brooks | Republican | House | Yea |
| Delia Haak | Republican | House | Yea |
| Ashley Hudson | Democrat | House | Nay |
| Jon Milligan | Republican | House | Yea |
| RJ Hawk | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wade Andrews | Republican | House | Yea |
| Rebecca Burkes | Republican | House | NV |
| DeAnna Hodges | Republican | House | Yea |
| Hope Duke | Republican | House | Nay |
| Zack Gramlich | Republican | House | Nay |
| Mindy McAlindon | Republican | House | Yea |
| Matt Duffield | Republican | House | Nay |
| Stetson Painter | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steve Unger | Republican | House | Yea |
| Wayne Long | Republican | House | Yea |
| Scott Richardson | Republican | House | Yea |
| Brandon Achor | Republican | House | Yea |
| Jeremiah Moore | Republican | House | Yea |
| Joey Carr | Republican | House | NV |
| Matt Brown | Republican | House | Yea |
| Shad Pearce | Republican | House | Yea |
| Chad Puryear | Republican | House | NV |
| Ryan Rose | Republican | House | Yea |
| Bart Schulz | Republican | House | Yea |
| Trey Steimel | Republican | House | Nay |
| Tara Shephard | Democrat | House | NV |
| Jeremy Wooldridge | Republican | House | Nay |
| Kendra Moore | Republican | House | Nay |
| Brit McKenzie | Republican | House | Yea |
| Steven Walker | Republican | House | Nay |
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