The bill amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967 to clarify and expand the definitions and requirements surrounding public meetings in Arkansas. It redefines "public meeting" to include formal gatherings of governing bodies, whether in person or through electronic means, and specifies that such meetings must be conducted with prior notice, recorded, and accessible to the public. Additionally, it introduces new definitions for "cybersecurity" and "poll," which pertains to communications between governing body members regarding voting intentions or support for proposed actions.

Furthermore, the bill outlines the conditions under which executive sessions may be held, emphasizing that they must be publicly announced and that actions taken in these sessions must be ratified in a public meeting. It also prohibits members of governing bodies from participating in communications that could be considered a "poll" outside of public meetings. The bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability in government operations by ensuring that public meetings are accessible and properly documented, while also addressing the implications of cybersecurity in governance.

Statutes affected:
SB 227: 25-19-103(6), 25-19-103