Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Open Government topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee advances bill to create public access counselor in attorney general’s office
Summary
House Bill 21 63 would create a public access counselor in the attorney general’s office to enforce public‑records obligations and enable fines and penalties for noncompliance; sponsor said the office would provide accountability where records are withheld.
The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced House Bill 21 63, which would create a public access counselor within the Oklahoma attorney general’s office to handle public‑records compliance and enforcement.
Sponsor Senator Howard said the office would provide a dedicated official to address agencies that do not turn over public records and would provide penalties if records are improperly withheld. "Right now . . . there's nobody that can hold them accountable," Howard said, and described the measure as adding "teeth" to public access enforcement; absent the counselor, Howard said the alternative often is a threatened audit by the state auditor and inspector.
Committee members asked procedural questions; the bill drew no recorded opposition and was advanced by a 7-0 roll call. The transcript includes the sponsor’s explanation and the committee’s recorded vote; the bill text and the enforcement mechanics (fine amounts, appeal processes) are not detailed in the committee exchange in the transcript.
