open records

A woman in a blue dress sitting at a desk and signing legilation with seven men in suits and the flags of the United Sattes and Arkansas behind her.

Worries over secrecy grow as state officials shield records from the public

BY: - November 20, 2023

This story was originally published on Stateline. Just weeks after lawmakers in Little Rock passed legislation shielding certain state records from public disclosure, opponents launched an effort to amend the Arkansas Constitution to protect access to government documents. “The coalition that’s coming together on this is about as broadly bipartisan as you could get — […]

A man in profile with his back facing the camera.

Overhaul of Alabama’s public records law dies on last day of session

BY: - June 6, 2023

Alabama will not overhaul its public records law this year. The Alabama House of Representatives looked ready to adjourn Tuesday without voting on SB 196, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, Tuesday, the last day of the 2023 legislative session. Legislators said last-minute disagreements with Gov. Kay Ivey’s office kept the bill from a final […]

Committee members discuss to open records bill

Alabama House committee advances bill to overhaul open records law

BY: - May 31, 2023

The House Ethics and Campaign Finance committee Wednesday approved a bill that would require most public agencies to acknowledge and respond to public records requests. SB 196, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, passed the House committee on a voice vote. It goes to the House floor. There are two days left in the 2023 […]