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February 15, 2012
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FOI bill stalls in committee
Associated Press (2007-02-28)
(UALR Public Radio) - A proposal that would require government officials who lose Freedom of Information Act challenges to pay attorney fees for the plaintiffs was rejected today by a House panel.

The House Committee on State Agencies and Government Affairs rejected the proposal by Representative Lindsley Smith, a Democrat from Fayetteville, that would have required attorney fees to be paid if a plaintiff substantially prevails in an FOI lawsuit.

The bill failed on an 8-9 vote after opponents suggested it include a provision that attorney fees not be paid if a court finds officials made a good-faith effort to comply with the information request.

Smith filed the bill in response to a state Supreme Court ruling last year that found the city of Fort Smith did not have to pay the legal bills for a man who won his FOI challenge against the city.


(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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