Bill
HB 1994
Self‑service storage operators must notify occupants within five business days after learning their unit has been compromised.
Note on source material
- The circulated documents for "HB 1994" contain inconsistent and overlapping materials from multiple jurisdictions (an Arkansas 2025 self‑storage bill, an Illinois FY26 $2 appropriation bill, and an unrelated title referencing a suffrage restoration). This summary focuses on the substantive Arkansas bill language included in the materials (a 95th General Assembly, 2025 draft) and summaries the procedural status shown in the record. Where records conflict, this summary flags the inconsistency.
Purpose and intent
- The primary Arkansas bill language would add a new section (proposed Ark. Code § 18‑16‑416) requiring self‑service storage facility operators to notify an occupant when the occupant’s leased storage space has been "compromised." The intent is consumer protection by ensuring tenants are informed promptly if their unit has been accessed, damaged, or had property removed by unauthorized persons.
Key provisions
- New definitions
- "Compromised" means operator has actual knowledge that any of the following occurred:
- The leased space was forcibly accessed by someone other than the occupant, operator, or an individual authorized by them;
- Property was removed from the leased space by someone other than the occupant, operator, or an authorized person;
- The leased space was damaged such that contents are accessible by someone other than the occupant, operator, or an authorized person.
- "Individual authorized by the occupant or operator" means a person listed on the rental agreement or someone possessing the applicable key or access code.
- Notification requirement
- An operator must contact the occupant by telephone, email, or regular mail within five (5) business days after the operator gains actual knowledge that the leased space was compromised.
- Limits on operator liability/duties
- The section explicitly states it does not impose responsibility on the operator for care, custody, or control of the occupant’s personal property.
- The operator has no affirmative duty or obligation to determine whether a leased space has been compromised (notification obligation arises only upon the operator’s actual knowledge).
Who would be affected
- Self‑service storage operators in Arkansas (if enacted) — would need procedures to notify tenants within five business days after learning of a compromise.
- Occupants/tenants of self‑storage units in Arkansas — would receive required notice when their spaces are known to be compromised.
- The bill does not create a new liability for damage to property or a duty to monitor units proactively.
Procedural status and timeline (as reported)
- Introduced: January 22, 2025 (sponsor list includes Rep. A. Collins and Sen. M. McKee among others).
- Passed House: Read the third time and passed April 10, 2025; transmitted to the Senate and referred to Senate committees (Insurance & Commerce noted).
- Final status: Died in committee (records indicate “Died In Committee” and “Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment”).
- Companion: SB 930 is noted as a companion.
Potential impact
- Administrative: Operators would need to adopt notification procedures and recordkeeping to meet the five‑day requirement when they learn of a compromise.
- Consumer protection: Tenants would likely get earlier awareness of unauthorized access or theft, enabling quicker police reports, insurance claims, or mitigation.
- Liability: The bill limits creation of new operator liability for stored property and does not require proactive inspections.
If you want, I can:
- Produce a one‑page legislative memo for operators outlining compliance steps;
- Draft suggested amendment language (e.g., specifying methods of proof of notice, exceptions, or enforcement mechanisms);
- Reconcile the disparate bill materials and produce a clean timeline by jurisdiction.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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