Governor Asa Hutchinson signed, what is commonly referred to as the Ag-Gag bill, into law on Thursday, March 23rd.

The law allows employers to seek financial damages from a whistle blowing employee or investigator who documents damaging information.

Animal welfare groups make a case that this new law is unconstitutional and will prevent factory farms from being held accountable for cruel or unethical mistreatment of animals.

Carter Dillard, Senior Policy Advisor for the Animal Legal Defense Fund said that lawmakers have criminalized publicizing the conditions inside factory farms.

“It’s called Ag-Gag, because it’s gagging those people who tell the truth about factory farms and big agriculture in America,” Dillard said.

Here in Northwest Arkansas we are no stranger to factory farms, having some of the most world renowned chicken producers in our back yard.

Which is exactly why some animal rights groups are saying this new Ag-Gag law could impact Northwest Arkansas.

“If people don’t know how their food is being produced inside Arkansas, they may want to buy it elsewhere,” Dillard said,

The Washington County Animal League has also been a strong opponent saying it will increase animal cruelty and decrease accountability.

“The good news is that these laws are unconstitutional… courts have found them such and the frightening thing here and Arkansas legislators and the governor are willing to violate the federal constitution and cost the tax payers a lot of money just to try and hide factory farmers from the public,” Dillard said.

But Governor Hutchinson believes this law was needed to safe guard employers.

In a statement, Governor Hutchinson said, in part — “This law protects employers from employees who might use their access to intentionally cause damage to the employer…”

The Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation sides with the governor, saying it will provide unauthorized access protection to business owners from anyone who films or records an image from non-public areas of their business.

“Most states have rejected these so i think the first thing is Arkansas should always consider repealing this law. if they don’t there will probably be litigation other laws have been challenged successfully in federal court and my guess is this law will be to the cost of Arkansas tax payers,” Dillard.

A Spokesperson for Governor Hutchinson said all whistle-blower protections under state or federal law will remain in place, and it doesn’t change the current Arkansas animal cruelty laws enforced.