AR HB1726

Adds four new definitions to the Freedom of Information Act: "governmental agency," "public appointee," "public employee," "public official," and "public servant" (state-level government positions).

Creates four new public records exemptions including communications between public servants and legal counsel, records prepared in anticipation of litigation, deliberative process records, and proprietary research data from institutions of higher education and governmental agencies.

Modifies law enforcement investigation records exemption to specify that "ongoing" investigations and related evidence are exempt from disclosure.

Allows custodians to charge personnel time for public records requests exceeding 8 hours at the rate of the lowest paid qualified employee, and permits custodians to refuse new requests from delinquent requestors with outstanding invoices.

Extends the timeframe for providing unavailable public records from 3 working days to 10 working days and adds cybersecurity matters as a permissible topic for executive sessions in public meetings.