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

SB 498 amends Arkansas law to limit public access to driver and vehicle records, primarily protecting individuals' personal information. It restricts who can obtain these records (e.g., only the driver, authorized parties, courts, law enforcement, or employers with written consent) and requires written agreements for electronic copies, with fees of $1 for certified copies and $20.50-$30 per 1,000 electronic records. The bill repeals older provisions that allowed broader public inspection of driver records and explicitly prohibits using records for solicitation or unauthorized disclosure. These changes directly affect drivers (by limiting how their data is shared), courts/law enforcement (who retain access for official purposes), and businesses/employers (who must now secure written consent).