Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that expands the Attorney General's authority to enforce the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Public Access Counselor Unit in the Office of the Attorney General (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to request a review from the Public Access Counselor in the event that their request to inspect or copy a public record is (Sec.1):

• Denied by a public body;

• Improperly treated by the public body as a request for commercial purpose; or

• Not returned in a prompt or reasonable manner.

• Requires the Public Access Counselor to perform requested reviews and determine if further action is warranted, and if so, forward the request to the public body with specifications of which documents are to be produced (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Attorney General to examine review requests and provide advisement to the public body (Sec. 1).

• Requires a public body from which records have been requested to take necessary action promptly and reasonably to comply with the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to file suit in the proper district court against the public body from which they have requested records if the Attorney General’s advisement concludes that no additional response is required (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute any civil or criminal action relating to violations of the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto of a bill that expands the Attorney General's authority to enforce the Oklahoma Open Records Act.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Public Access Counselor Unit in the Office of the Attorney General (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to request a review from the Public Access Counselor in the event that their request to inspect or copy a public record is (Sec.1):

• Denied by a public body;

• Improperly treated by the public body as a request for commercial purpose; or

• Not returned in a prompt or reasonable manner.

• Requires the Public Access Counselor to perform requested reviews and determine if further action is warranted, and if so, forward the request to the public body with specifications of which documents are to be produced (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Attorney General to examine review requests and provide advisement to the public body (Sec. 1).

• Requires a public body from which records have been requested to take necessary action promptly and reasonably to comply with the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes an individual to file suit in the proper district court against the public body from which they have requested records if the Attorney General’s advisement concludes that no additional response is required (Sec. 1).

• Requires the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute any civil or criminal action relating to violations of the Oklahoma Open Records Act (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Kevin Stitt