Ezel / AG Opinions / AR
AR Opinion No. 2023-129 2024-01-09

Why did the Arkansas AG reject the December 2023 Government Disclosure Act ballot title (BT-3)?

Short answer: Same rejection as Opinion 2023-127. BT-3 parallel submission under 'The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act.' Eventually certified in Opinion 2024-020.
Disclaimer: This is an official Arkansas Attorney General opinion. AG opinions are persuasive authority but not binding precedent. This summary is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney for advice on your specific situation.

Plain-English summary

BT-3 of four parallel submissions of the same proposed initiated act, under the name "The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act." Rejected for the disconnect issue analyzed in Opinion 2023-127. Eventually certified in Opinion 2024-020.

What this means for you

Ballot initiative sponsors

See Opinion 2023-127 for the substantive analysis. Parallel submissions with the same text get parallel rejections.

Citations

  • A.C.A. § 7-9-107(e)
  • Ark. Att'y Gen. Op. 2023-127
  • Ark. Att'y Gen. Op. 2024-020 (certified version)

Source

Original opinion text

Opinion No. 2023-129
January 9, 2024
David A. Couch
1501 North University Avenue, Suite 219
Little Rock, Arkansas 72207
Jen Standerfer
2302 Southwest Nottingham Avenue
Bentonville, Arkansas 72713
Dear Mr. Couch and Ms. Standerfer:

I am writing in response to your request, made under A.C.A. § 7-9-107, that I certify the popular name and ballot title for a proposed initiated act. This opinion addresses what you have labeled "BT - 3." The popular name was "The Arkansas Government Disclosure Act."

For the reason identified and explained in Opinion No. 2023-127, which is incorporated by reference into this opinion, my statutory duty under A.C.A. § 7-9-107(e) is to reject your proposed popular name and ballot title and to instruct you to "redesign" your proposed initiated act, popular name, and ballot title.

Deputy Attorney General Ryan Owsley prepared this opinion, which I hereby approve.

Sincerely,
TIM GRIFFIN
Attorney General