Bill > SB614

This bill amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act, specifically focusing on procedures related to governing bodies' actions involving bond issuance. The bill establishes new rules for how circuit courts can address violations of open meeting laws concerning bonds. If a court finds a violation within 30 days of the action, it can invalidate the bond authorization. If the violation is discovered more than 30 days after the action, the governing body must either cure the violation by providing proper notice, disclosing the violation at a public meeting, and re-authorizing the action, or face a civil penalty of $1,000 per individual member found responsible for the violation. The penalty must be paid to the claimant within 30 days and cannot be satisfied using public funds. The bill defines "bonds" broadly to include various debt-related instruments under Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 78. Additionally, the bill includes a contingency provision that makes its effectiveness dependent on the passage of another bill (SB227) during the Ninety-Fifth General Assembly.

Government Affairs

https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=sb614&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R