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HB 1836

RELATING TO HEALTH.

2024 Regular Session Introduced by Micah Aiu and 49 co-sponsors

HB 1836 mandates Arkansas public entities to record and post video of meetings online within 24 hours, enhancing transparency and citizen engagement for one year.

Act 100, on 06/27/2024 (Gov. Msg. No. 1201).
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Bill Summary · HB 1836

Summary of House Bill 1836 (HB 1836)

Purpose and Intent

House Bill 1836 (HB 1836) aims to enhance transparency and accessibility of public meetings in the State of Arkansas by mandating that all public entities record and post video recordings of their meetings. This legislation is designed to ensure that citizens have access to the proceedings of their government, thereby promoting accountability and public engagement.

Key Provisions

The bill introduces several important changes to the existing law regarding public meetings under the Freedom of Information Act of 1967:

  1. Recording Requirements:

    • All officially scheduled, special, and called open public meetings must be recorded in a manner that captures sound. This can include:
      • Sound-only recordings
      • Video recordings with both sound and picture
      • Digital or analog broadcasts that can be recorded

  2. Retention of Recordings:

    • Public entities are required to maintain video recordings of open public meetings for a minimum of one year from the date of the meeting.

  3. Accessibility of Recordings:

    • Public entities must post the video recordings on their official websites within 24 hours after the meeting. If a public entity does not have a website, they must use a social media account to post the recordings within the same timeframe.

  4. Exemptions:

    • The recording and posting requirements do not apply to:
      • Executive sessions
      • Volunteer fire departments
    • Cities of the second class and incorporated towns are exempt from these requirements until July 1, 2020.

Affected Parties

The legislation impacts:
- Public Entities: All governmental bodies that hold public meetings, including state and local agencies.
- Citizens: The general public will benefit from increased access to government proceedings, fostering greater civic engagement and oversight.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: March 18, 2025
  • Status: The bill was enacted as Act 100 on June 27, 2024.
  • Legislative Journey: The bill underwent several readings, amendments, and committee reviews before being passed. It was withdrawn by the author on March 31, 2025, but was ultimately enacted.

Conclusion

HB 1836 represents a significant step towards greater transparency in government operations in Arkansas. By requiring public meetings to be recorded and made accessible, the bill aims to empower citizens with the information they need to engage with their government effectively.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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