Bill > HB1608

This bill amends Arkansas state law regarding the management and destruction of public records and archives, specifically focusing on documents that are over fifty years old. The legislation modifies existing statutes to require that handwritten documents older than 50 years cannot be destroyed without first consulting and obtaining approval from the Arkansas State Archives. Previously, the law allowed for the destruction of recorded documents, but now, handwritten documents deemed to have historical significance must be reviewed by archivists before they can be discarded. This change ensures that important historical documents are preserved and prevents the potential loss of valuable historical records. The bill applies to both county records and other original documents, establishing a new protocol that prioritizes the preservation of historical documents by giving the Arkansas State Archives a role in determining the fate of older handwritten materials.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1608&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R