TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE.

Fiscal Impact Statement Bill: SB498 Bill Subtitle: TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE OF DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS AND TO PROTECT DRIVER AND VEHICLE RECORDS FROM PUBLIC DISCLOSURE. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sponsors: Sen. Petty and Rep. N. Burkes Basic Change: SB498 updates state law concerning the release of motor vehicle and driver records to correspond more closely to federal standards: • There is a current conflict between state and federal law concerning protection for motor vehicle records. Arkansas declares them public records while the federal government requires substantial protections. SB498 resolves that conflict by providing protection for motor vehicle records under Arkansas law. • Current Arkansas law restricts courts and law enforcement officers to receiving driver records for the purpose of enforcing traffic laws. SB498 allows more access to those records for courts and law enforcement who need those records for other crimes. • SB498 creates a single standard for releasing motor vehicle and driver records rather than having multiple standards in differe