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Anti-FOIA Bills at Arkansas Capitol 3/6 – 3/7/2017

March 5, 2017 Featured, FOIA

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The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is one of the greatest pieces of legislation that has ever been introduced to the public!  Secure Arkansas is a BIG PROPONENT OF FREEDOM, and Freedom of Information is no exception.  We use it ALL THE TIME!

FOIA is one of the most comprehensive and strongest open-records and open-meetings laws in Arkansas and the United States. We must keep it that way and oppose legislation being pushed forward that would limit or block it!  So, what’s the deal?  Well…

There are some ANTI-FOIA bills coming up Monday, March 6, 2017 at the Arkansas Capitol, and we need YOUR HELP contacting legislators and opposing this anti-freedom legislation TODAY — Sunday, March 5, 2017.  

We can’t help but wonder: what are the legislators thinking?  And from which bill mill did these pieces of legislation come?

We are addressing and OPPOSING THREE (3) ANTI-FOIA bills in this alert:

  1. SB 373
  2. SB 12
  3. SB 435

  • The first bill we’re addressing in this alert is SB 373 by Senator Bart Hester (R, Cave Springs), 479-531-4176.  [email protected]
    Secure Arkansas opposes this bill.


Senator Bart Hester (R)
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Member

For an Act To Be Entitled

AN ACT TO EXEMPT ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION AND

ATTORNEY WORK PRODUCT FROM THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

ACT OF 1967; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

(We’ve written about this bill previously.)

Secure Arkansas’ comments:  This bill appears to exempt attorney-client communication and work product severely obstructs transparency in government. There is no reason to change what has been the law for many years. Secure Arkansas tremendously opposes this bill.

Secure Arkansas also asked Arkansas attorney Joey McCutchen for a quote about SB 373, and he said:

“This is a bad bill for transparency.  When government monies are being used to pay attorneys, the public is entitled to know what transpires whether the attorney is me or anybody else.”

He also says this:  “…to cover with the veil of secrecy the common routine of business is an abomination in the eyes of every intelligent man, and every friend to this country.”

SB 373 is coming up in the FULL House on Monday, March 5, 2017 at 1:30 p.m.

Keep reading to see what you can do about these bills!  The first two MUST be stopped in the House on Monday, March 6th!


  • The next bill we’re addressing is SB 12 by Senator Gary Stubblefield (R, Branch) 479-635-4314. [email protected]gov  
    Secure Arkansas opposes this bill, also.

 
Senator Gary Stubblefield (R)
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Member

For An Act To Be Entitled
AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THAT EMERGENCY OR SECURITY RECORDS OR OTHER INFORMATION FOR A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT, PUBLIC SCHOOL, OR STATE-SUPPORTED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IS EXEMPT FROM THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

(We’ve written on this one previously, also.)

SB 12 is coming up as: Motion to Amend in the House.  The amended version is not posted on the website. 

Secure Arkansas’ comments: Schools are secretive regarding information. These ANTI-FOIA bills will greatly obstruct transparency!  Without the ability to have proper FOIA information, people will be left nearly defenseless and unable to get necessary evidence.  There do not need to be ANY MORE exemptions to the Freedom of Information Act.

Government transparency is critical in order for citizens to hold their elected officials and bureaucrats accountable.

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THESE?  Contact the members of the Arkansas House and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 373 and SB 12 because because they severely obstruct transparency in government!  
You can email all 100 Representatives in ONE email and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 373 and SB 12.  Be sure to call them as well!

*** BOTH OF THESE BILLS MUST BE STOPPED IN THE HOUSE Monday, March 6! ***

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Title

Name

Phone

Email

District

Representative

Fred Allen

501-804-7844

[email protected]

30

Representative

Eddie L. Armstrong

866-980-9438

[email protected]org

37

Representative

Bob Ballinger

479-443-3700

[email protected]

97

Representative

Scott Baltz

870-378-1380

[email protected]

61

Representative

Sonia Eubanks Barker

870-814-7605

[email protected]

7

Representative

Rick Beck

501-912-1441

[email protected]

65

Representative

Mary Bentley

501-333-2297

[email protected]

73

Representative

Charles Blake

501-425-9824

[email protected]org

36

Representative

Justin Boyd

479-262-2156

[email protected]

77

Representative

Ken Bragg

870-917-9205

[email protected]

15

Representative

David L. Branscum

870-448-6290

[email protected]

83

Representative

Karilyn Brown

501-580-9000

[email protected]org

41

Representative

LeAnne Burch

870-460-0773

[email protected]

9

Representative

Sarah Capp

479-209-2454

[email protected]

82

Representative

Frances Cavenaugh

870-886-4000

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

60

Representative

Bruce Coleman

479-806-6825

[email protected]org

81

Representative

Charlie Collins

479-283-9303

[email protected]

84

Representative

Bruce Cozart

501-627-3232

[email protected]

24

Representative

Carol Dalby

870-772-1255

[email protected]

1

Representative

Andy Davis

501-837-5109

[email protected]

31

Representative

Gary Deffenbaugh

479-719-8197

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

79

Representative

Jana Della Rosa

479-236-3060

[email protected]org

90

Representative

Jim Dotson

479-222-1234

[email protected]

93

Representative

Charlotte V. Douglas

479-430-0170

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

75

Representative

Dan M. Douglas

479-619-9231

[email protected]

91

Representative

Trevor Drown

479-857-2498

[email protected]

68

Representative

Les Eaves

501-827-1344

[email protected]

46

Representative

Jon S. Eubanks

479-438-0533

[email protected]

74

Representative

Joe Farrer

501-743-6855

[email protected]

44

Representative

Deborah Ferguson

870-735-7098

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

51

Representative

Kenneth B. Ferguson

870-413-8942

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

16

Representative

David Fielding

870-904-1716

[email protected]org

5

Representative

Charlene Fite

479-414-1818

[email protected]org

80

Representative

Lanny Fite

501-317-2400

[email protected]

23

Representative

Vivian Flowers

870-329-8356

[email protected]org

17

Representative

Jack Fortner

870-656-7664

[email protected]

99

Representative

Mickey Gates

501-623-1100

[email protected]

22

Representative

Jimmy Gazaway

870-239-4002

[email protected]org

57

Representative

Jeremy Gillam

501-682-7771

[email protected]

45

Representative

Justin Gonzales

870-245-6365

[email protected]

19

Representative

Michael John Gray

870-347-6000

[email protected]

47

Representative

Michelle Gray

870-291-2515

[email protected]org

62

Representative

Kim Hammer

501-840-3841

[email protected]

28

Representative

Ken Henderson

479-970-4850

[email protected]

71

Representative

Kim Hendren

479-790-5600

[email protected]

92

Representative

David Hillman

870-830-3004

[email protected]

13

Representative

Monte Hodges

870-763-4443

[email protected]

55

Representative

Grant Hodges

479-381-9513

[email protected]

96

Representative

Mike Holcomb

870-489-7177

[email protected]

10

Representative

Steve Hollowell

870-270-3831

[email protected]org

49

Representative

Douglas House

501-590-1055

[email protected]

40

Representative

Lane Jean

870-904-1856

[email protected]

2

Representative

Joe Jett

870-276-5319

[email protected]

56

Representative

Bob Johnson

501-982-1975

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42

Representative

Jack Ladyman

870-340-7499

[email protected]

59

Representative

Greg Leding

479-966-9201

[email protected]

86

Representative

Tim Lemons

501-605-7565

[email protected]

43

Representative

Fredrick J. Love

501-612-3939

[email protected]

29

Representative

Mark Lowery

501-837-7633

[email protected]

39

Representative

Robin Lundstrum

479-957-1959

[email protected]org

87

Representative

Roger D. Lynch

501-412-8959

[email protected]

14

Representative

John Maddox

479-394-6060

[email protected]

20

Representative

Stephen Magie

501-327-4444

[email protected]org

72

Representative

Andy Mayberry

501-888-3522

[email protected]

27

Representative

Austin McCollum

479-426-4141

[email protected]org

95

Representative

Mark D. McElroy

870-644-3822

[email protected]

11

Representative

George B. McGill

479-651-2107

[email protected]org

78

Representative

Ron McNair

870-754-7962

[email protected]

98

Representative

David Meeks

501-277-9340

[email protected]

70

Representative

Stephen Meeks

501-314-9250

[email protected]org

67

Representative

Josh Miller

501-365-3599

[email protected]

66

Representative

Reginald Murdock

870-295-3208

[email protected]

48

Representative

Milton Nicks, Jr.

870-739-5360

[email protected]

50

Representative

John Payton

501-362-5815

[email protected]

64

Representative

Clint Penzo

479-466-6681

[email protected]

88

Representative

Rebecca Petty

479-621-3464

[email protected]org

94

Representative

Aaron Pilkington

479-308-8384

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

69

Representative

Mathew W. Pitsch

479-883-2072

[email protected]

76

Representative

Chris Richey

870-995-2499

[email protected]

12

Representative

Marcus E. Richmond

479-299-4416

[email protected]org

21

Representative

Laurie Rushing

501-276-3018

[email protected]org

26

Representative

Johnny Rye

870-919-3690

[email protected]

54

Representative

Warwick Sabin

501-372-4550

[email protected]

33

Representative

Matthew J. Shepherd

870-862-2087

[email protected]arkansashouse.org

6

Representative

Brandt Smith

870-351-7459

[email protected]

58

Representative

James J. Sorvillo

501-551-9571

[email protected]

32

Representative

Nelda Speaks

870-421-2552

[email protected]

100

Representative

James Sturch

870-612-7589

[email protected]

63

Representative

Dan Sullivan

870-275-2929

[email protected]

53

Representative

Dwight Tosh

870-926-0423

[email protected]

52

Representative

Clarke Tucker

501-379-1767

[email protected]org

35

Representative

DeAnn Vaught

870-832-2638

[email protected]

4

Representative

John W. Walker

501-374-3758

[email protected]

34

Representative

Jeff Wardlaw

870-226-9501

[email protected]

8

Representative

Les Warren

501-623-4405

[email protected]

25

Representative

Danny Watson

870-703-5524

[email protected]

3

Representative

David Whitaker

479-236-8313

[email protected]org

85

Representative

Jeff Williams

479-445-8266

[email protected]org

89

Representative

Carlton Wing

501-416-4926

[email protected]

38

Representative

Richard Womack

870-403-6287

[email protected]

18


  • The third bill we’re addressing is SB 435 by Senator Will Bond (D, Little Rock) 501-396-5400,  [email protected]  
    Secure Arkansas opposes this bill.

 

Senator Will Bond (D)

For An Act To Be Entitled 
AN ACT TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967 CONCERNING WATER SYSTEMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS SYSTEMS; CONCERNING THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS BY A CONSOLIDATED WATERWORKS SYSTEM; TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Amendment 1 for SB 435 is coming up in the Senate on Monday, March 6, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.  to be adopted, and then it will be transfered back to the Senate City, County & Local Affairs committee to be heard on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in Room 272 at the Arkansas Capitol.

Secure Arkansas’ comments:  It’s a bad bill and is unnecessary legislation, and it covers things that are already subject to privacy and exempt from public knowledge. 
**See Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook 25-19-105 — “Examination and copying of public records”  (page 7). 

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT:  Contact the members of the Senate Committee on City, County, & Local Affairs, and tell them to please VOTE NO on SB 435 because it’s unnecessary and covers things that are already subject to privacy and exempt from public knowledge. It would be good to include the link to the Arkansas Freedom of Information Handbook 25-19-105 and, if you’re emailing them, tell them to see “Examination and copying of public records” on page 7.

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Contact information for the Senate Committee on City, County & Local Affairs:

  • Sen. Alan Clark, CHAIR (501) 262-3360, [email protected]
  • Sen. Uvalde Lindsey, VICE CHAIR (479) 444-6752, [email protected]
  • Sen. Will Bond, (501) 396-5400, [email protected]
  • Sen. Scott Flippo, (870) 421-3420, [email protected]
  • Sen. Linda Collins-Smith, (870) 378-1434, [email protected]gov
  • Sen. Lance Eads, (479) 435-5139, [email protected]
  • Sen. Stephanie Flowers, (870) 535-1032, [email protected]gov
  • Sen. Jim Hendren, (479) 787-6222, [email protected]

In closing, there is an ongoing attempt through progressive legislation to limit freedom, to centralize power and control, and to make everything look the same throughout the country — and we need to do ALL WE CAN to fight it!

Stay tuned!

Be sure to share our alerts with your family and friends!


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