Providing for the electronic publication of the Arkansas Reports

I'm presenting one of the two bills on today's House calendar. HB1033 is a cost-saving measure, which gives the Supreme Court Reporter the authority to publish and distribute opinions in the format directed by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals. It will also require that the reports be made publicly available for viewing at no charge via the Internet. The result will be that the official reports will be published electronically rather than in book form. Other private companies will continue to publish the opinions in book form. It'll save approximately $225,000 annually in taxpayer funds, and it is supported by the Administrative Office of the Courts. The downside is that these books (dating back to 1836) make a pretty nice looking library, but for the vast majority of the 100 or so subscribers across the state, that's the only purpose they serve.



Update: Bill passes 98-0.