everything you want to know (and don't) about arkansas politics

Republican Sponsorship
Civil Rights

HB1883

To Create The Arkansas Fourth Amendment Protection Act; And To Amend The Law Concerning The Collection Of Electronic Data And Metadata.

Failed

Last Action (May 5, 2025): Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment.

Sponsors

AI-Generated Summary

House Bill 1883, titled the 'Arkansas Fourth Amendment Protection Act,' aims to restrict the participation of Arkansas state agencies in the collection of electronic data and metadata by federal government agencies. The bill defines 'electronic data' to include communication content, location data, time/date stamps, and IP addresses, while defining 'metadata' to include documentation history and management details. It prohibits state agencies from providing material support, resources, or assistance to federal entities in collecting or using such data. Exemptions to this prohibition include instances where the individual provides informed consent or where the collection is executed pursuant to a valid warrant based on reasonable cause. Additionally, the bill allows for data collection if it falls under a legally recognized exception to the warrant requirement. The act seeks to strengthen privacy protections for citizens regarding their digital information against federal overreach.

Potential Impact Analysis

Who Might Benefit?

The primary beneficiaries of this bill are Arkansas residents and citizens whose digital privacy and data security would be enhanced by limiting the extent to which state agencies can assist federal authorities in data surveillance. Privacy advocates and organizations focused on civil liberties would also view this as a beneficial advancement in state-level data protection policy.

Who Might Suffer?

The primary groups negatively impacted would be federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies, which would lose a primary channel of state-level cooperation, resources, and material support for electronic surveillance operations. Additionally, state government agencies might face increased administrative burdens or potential conflicts in inter-agency cooperation protocols when navigating the requirements of this act during federal investigations.

Read Full Bill on arkleg.state.ar.us