Task Force that oversees state Freedom of Information Act expresses opposition to the proposed changes

Little Rock, AR – March 28, 2025 – The Arkansas Freedom of Information Task Force convened today in a pivotal meeting that saw unanimous opposition to a controversial Senate bill aimed at loosening public meeting requirements.

The proposal, which would allow two members of state or local governing boards to meet privately without classifying it as a "public meeting," sparked intense debate among committee members and attendees.

Held at the State Capitol, the session drew a diverse crowd of transparency advocates, local journalists, and concerned citizens, all eager to weigh in on the legislation’s potential impact.

The bill, introduced earlier this month, has been framed by supporters as a means to streamline communication among board members. Critics, however, argue it undermines the spirit of Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), a cornerstone of open government since its enactment in 1967.

During the meeting, task force members expressed alarm over the bill’s implications.

“This is a direct threat to accountability,” said Committee Chair Laura Henderson, a veteran public records advocate. “If two board members can meet behind closed doors, it erodes the public’s ability to know what’s being discussed and decided on their behalf.”

Henderson’s sentiment was echoed across the panel, culminating in a rare unanimous vote to formally oppose the bill.

Public testimony further highlighted the stakes. Local reporter Emily Carter, who covers municipal government for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, shared examples of past FOIA victories that exposed mismanagement.

“Without transparency laws, stories like these don’t see the light of day,” she said, urging the committee to stand firm.

Meanwhile, a small contingent of bill supporters, including a representative from a county officials’ association, argued that the change would allow for informal collaboration without bureaucratic hurdles, though their case failed to sway the task force.

The meeting, which ran for nearly three hours, also touched on broader FOIA enforcement issues, with some members calling for stronger penalties for noncompliance. No additional votes were taken, but the task force agreed to draft a formal statement outlining their opposition to the bill, to be submitted to the Arkansas Senate next week.

As the legislative session progresses, today’s decision sets the stage for a contentious battle over transparency in state government. With the public and press watching closely, the Arkansas Freedom of Information Task Force has signaled its intent to defend the principles of openness that have long defined the state’s approach to governance.

The next Senate hearing on the bill is scheduled for early April, where today’s opposition is likely to fuel further discussion. For now, advocates of transparent government are celebrating a small but significant victory in Little Rock.