To Amend The Freedom Of Information Act Of 1967; And To Repeal The Exemption Concerning Electronic Data Information Maintained By A Disaster Recovery System.
Summary
SB506 amends Arkansas’s Freedom of Information Act of 1967 by repealing one specific public-records exemption. The repealed exemption covers “electronic data information maintained by a disaster recovery system,” which means that records stored in or protected by a disaster recovery system would no longer be categorically excluded from inspection and copying under the FOIA.
In practical terms, the bill narrows an existing confidentiality carve-out and expands the universe of electronic records potentially subject to public disclosure. It does not create a new disclosure category or establish a new procedure; rather, it removes a statutory shield that had protected certain backup or recovery-system data from FOIA requests.
Impact
The bill would amend Arkansas Code § 25-19-105(b) by deleting subdivision (20), thereby removing the express exemption for electronic data information maintained by a disaster recovery system. This would affect state and local agencies, public bodies, and any custodians of records that rely on disaster recovery or backup systems, because such information could become subject to FOIA examination and copying unless another exemption applies. The change would likely increase transparency and public access to electronic records, while also potentially increasing compliance burdens for agencies managing backup data.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes, the available record suggests a neutral-to-transparency-oriented policy approach rather than a clearly contested measure. The bill’s stated purpose is straightforward: to amend the FOIA and repeal a specific exemption. With no transcripts or voting history provided, there is no documented evidence here of support or opposition, but the subject matter generally aligns with open-government and public-access priorities.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely to be the balance between public access and the operational/security concerns of agencies that maintain disaster recovery systems. Supporters would likely argue that backup or recovery data should not be shielded from FOIA simply because it is stored in a disaster recovery environment, while opponents may worry that removing the exemption could expose sensitive system data, complicate records management, or create cybersecurity and administrative burdens. Because no committee testimony or votes are included, no specific individuals or groups are identified as taking those positions in the available materials.