Arkansas
Arkansas FOIA
Formally: Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (Open Meetings)
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Open Meetings Score
| Advance Notice | 3 days, online posting required |
|---|---|
| Public Comment | Not required |
| Closed Sessions | 4 permitted categories |
| Minutes | Required |
| Recording | Not required |
| Remote Participation | Not allowed |
| Enforcement | Voidable, legislature exempt |
Agenda & Notice Requirements
Online posting: Required
Provide notice to anyone who has requested it and to news media in the county who have requested notice of special meetings; no specific posting days for regular meetings
Agenda changes at meeting: Allowed — majority vote
Public Participation
Arkansas Freedom of Information Act (A.C.A. § 25-19-101 et seq.) does not mandate a public comment period at open meetings. Public bodies set their own comment policies. The law ensures the right to attend but does not establish a floor for oral public participation.
Virtual Meetings
Ark. Code Ann. § 25-19-106 does not expressly authorize remote participation; physical presence is the general rule. SB 227 (2025 session) is adding remote attendance provisions but had not yet taken effect as of 2024.
Closed Sessions
Closed (executive) sessions: Allowed under specific circumstances
Permitted Categories
Meeting Minutes
Online posting: Not required
Content requirements: date, time, place, members present, description of each action taken
Recording & Broadcast
Enforcement
Scope
This law applies to:
Legislature: Exempt (follows own rules)
Accessibility & Language Access
ADA accessibility: ADA Title II applies to all public meetings. The state statute does not add requirements beyond federal law; reasonable accommodations must be provided on request.
Language access: No statutory language-access mandate beyond federal Civil Rights Act Title VI obligations for recipients of federal funds.