The upper chamber today approved the primary seatbelt bill 29-6 and the bill with new restrictions on teen driving 30-2.

Not so swift was the Senate’s passage, 20-2, with 13 not voting, of Sen. Denny Altes’ bill to keep trial lawyers and others with commercial interests from seeing accident reports for 90 days after they are filed. I’m no lawyer, but this sounds unconstitutional to me. Sen. Joyce Elliott asked how the state could bar certain people from seeing accident reports. Altes claimed all could see it as long as they signed a statement promising not to use the material for commercial purposes. But that’s not what the law says. It creates an exclusive list of people who may see the reports. It also is apparently written, inadvertently or not, to disqualify tabloid-format newspapers from being among those allowed to see the report.

Advertisement

If senatorial courtesy extends to passing garbage like this, it has gone too far. Two lawyers, David Johnson and Robert Thompson, voted against Altes’ bill. Most of the rest of the IQ in the Senate was represented by the 13 in the not voting column. 

Invest in the future of great journalism in Arkansas

Join the ranks of the 63,000 Facebook followers, 58,000 Twitter followers, 35,000 Arkansas blog followers, and 70,000 daily email blasts who know that the Arkansas Times is the go-to source for tough, determined, and feisty journalism that holds the powerful accountable. For 50 years, our progressive, alternative newspaper in Little Rock has been on the front lines of the fight for truth, and with your support, we can do even more. By subscribing or donating to the Arkansas Times, you'll not only have access to all of our articles, but you'll also be helping us hire more writers and expand our coverage. Don't miss out on the opportunity to make a difference with your subscription or donation to the Arkansas Times today.

Previous article The news is good from UCA UPDATE Next article Make a music video, win stuff