HB1739

House Bill 1739 enacts the Uniform Electronic Legal Materials Act (UELMA) in Arkansas to provide a framework for the authentication, preservation, and public access to electronic versions of legal materials. The bill applies to the Arkansas Constitution, the Arkansas Code, the Code of Arkansas Rules, and state agency rules that have the effect of law, while specifically excluding materials published by the judiciary. It mandates that official publishers, such as the Arkansas Code Revision Commission and the Secretary of State, must authenticate electronic records to ensure they remain unaltered from the original version. Furthermore, the bill requires these publishers to maintain the security, integrity, and permanent public accessibility of these electronic records. It also provides a legal presumption that authenticated records are accurate, placing the burden of proof on anyone contesting their authenticity. The act is set to become effective on January 1, 2026, and aims to promote uniformity with other states that have adopted similar legislation.