Steele endorses legislative open records, open meetings proposal

House Speaker Kris Steele endorsed a proposal Thursday that would make the Legislature subject to a modified version of the Open Records and Open Meetings acts.
Sen. Jason Murphey, R-Guthrie, will carry the legislation. According to John Estus, Steele’s spokesman, the language will be placed in HB 1085, a measure Murphey introduced last session and was carried over to the new session that begins Monday. The original language of the bill adds the Legislature to the definition of "public body" in the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. The bill also adds to the exempts from the Oklahoma Open Records Act documentation of personal communication in which a legislator is the intended recipient from a person who is exercising rights secured under the federal or state constitution and who is not a member of the Legislature and who is not registered as a lobbyist with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission. The bill clarifies language related to copying costs and also clarifies references to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. The bill repeals statutory language that states that the Legislature will conduct meetings open meetings in accordance with rules adopted by each house.
Steele said the new language will create a new section of law that deals exclusively with the Legislature.  Go to www.ecapitol.net for the full story!