A bill clarifying aspects of Arkansas’ public meetings law has passed the Senate and is now heading to the governor’s desk. Senate Bill 227 specifies what city councils, quorum courts, and school boards can discuss outside of a public meeting. It also allows courts to nullify decisions made by a public body if those decisions violate open meetings laws. 

According to reporting from The Arkansas Advocate, SB 277, sponsored by democratic Sen. Clarke Tucker,  had already passed the Senate but needed a second vote due to the addition of co-sponsors during its consideration in the House. Senators voted 34-1 in favor of the bill, with only Sen. John Payton voting against it. 

Tucker’s bill aims to clarify the definition of a public meeting, which currently does not specify how many members of a public body must be present for a meeting to qualify as public. The bill would make it explicit that a meeting involving at least two members of a governing body would count as a public meeting. 

The bill has garnered support from FOI advocates across the state. Andrew Bagley, president of the Arkansas Press Association, called it “a very good piece of legislation.” If signed into law, the bill could provide clearer guidance on public meeting requirements under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act. 

Posted: April 15, 2025
Category: Brechner News
Tagged as: Brechner FOI Project, Brechner Freedom of Information Project, FOI, open records laws, public records, Secrecy Tracker