House approves bill to raise penalty for illegal executive sessions

The Arkansas House of Representatives on Friday endorsed a bill to increase the penalty for knowingly violating executive session rules under the Freedom of Information Act.

Rep. Nate Bell, R-Mena, who sponsored House Bill 1984, said the bill would make knowingly calling or participating in executive sessions that violate the law a Class A misdemeanor.

This bumps up the penalty from a Class C misdemeanor, which would remain for those who participate in the illegal executive session but didn't realize it was against the law.

Bell said those who knowingly violate the law, by either calling the session or participating in it, and are convicted would be ineligible to hold public office and removed from their current position.

Those who unknowingly participate and are convicted of a Class C misdemeanor would not have to vacate their public office, Bell said.

The bill passed with 74 voting in favor and Reps. Mark D. McElroy, D-Tillar, and Josh Miller, R-Heber Springs, voting against.

HB1984 now heads to the Senate for approval.

See Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full coverage.

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