by Michael Tilley (mtilley@talkbusiness.net)
A vastly different bill amending the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) than what she initially wanted has been signed by Gov. Sarah Sanders. The Arkansas House and Senate approved this week FOIA changes that address only a governor’s travel records.
The Arkansas General Assembly was called into Special Session on Monday (Sept. 11) to consider bills related to tax rate changes and what was then a bill that included broad changes to the state’s FOIA.
Gov. Sanders initially asked for a bill that would change FOIA provisions by including the federal exemption that would significantly limit the information available about the deliberations of officials at state agencies, recommendations about policy, and other governance matters. She said at the time the effort was about making the government more efficient.
Gov. Sarah Sanders speaks about the Special Session Thursday before signing approved legislation into law. To the left is Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs and Senate president, and on the right is Rep. Matthew Shepherd, R-El Dorado and House Speaker.