(a) For purposes of assisting in determining the need for remedial action in connection with a release or threat of release of hazardous substances under this subchapter or for enforcing the provisions of this subchapter, any person who stores, treats, or disposes of hazardous substances, or, if necessary to ascertain facts not available at the site or facility where the hazardous substances are stored, treated, or disposed of, any person who generates, transports, otherwise handles, or has handled hazardous substances shall, upon request of any officer or employee of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, furnish information relating to the substance and permit the person at all reasonable times to have access to and copy all records relating to the substances and to inspect and obtain samples of any such substances or other materials.
(b) However, any information which would constitute a trade secret under the Arkansas Trade Secrets Act, § 4-75-601 et seq., obtained by the department or its employees in the administration of this subchapter, except emission data, shall be kept confidential.
(c) Any violation of this section shall be unlawful and constitute a misdemeanor.