Open records; public access counselor; review; subpoena; Attorney General; binding opinion; advisory opinion; emergency.
HB 2163 establishes a Public Access Counselor Unit within Oklahoma's Attorney General's office to handle disputes over public records requests. It allows individuals denied access to public records (excluding requests for commercial purposes) to file a review request within 30 days, with the Counselor issuing binding advice to public bodies within 60 days. Public bodies must comply with this advice or face potential lawsuits, while the Counselor may deny frivolous requests and shield certain communications from disclosure. The bill also permits advisory opinions for public bodies seeking guidance on compliance.
Bill status
vetoed
4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Vetoed
May 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Vetoed May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons
What changed between versions
Floor (House)
→
Floor (Senate)
·
4 edits
MODERATE
The bill text was reformatted from a House floor version to a Senate floor version, with the Senate version adding a new section establishing a Public Access Counselor Unit within the Attorney General's Office to handle open records disputes. The Senate version also added provisions for handling frivolous requests and clarified the Attorney General's authority to issue advisory opinions.
Scope change
The bill's substantive scope remains the same, but the Senate version adds a new section establishing the Public Access Counselor Unit and expands the Attorney General's advisory authority.
REQUIREMENT
Establishes a new Public Access Counselor Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to review open records denials.
Adds provisions for the Public Access Counselor to handle multiple frivolous requests from individuals seeking record reviews.
ENFORCEMENT
Clarifies the Attorney General's authority to issue advisory opinions to public bodies about compliance with the Open Records Act.
TECHNICAL
Changed document header from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' to 'SENATE FLOOR VERSION' and updated page numbering format.
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
28
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 29, 2025
Introduced
Filed with Secretary of State
lower
May 29, 2025
Vetoed
Veto overridden: Ayes: 37 Nays: 8
upper
May 29, 2025
Vetoed
Veto overridden: Ayes: 76 Nays: 13
lower
May 12, 2025
Vetoed
Vetoed 05/10/2025
lower
May 5, 2025
Committee
Referred for enrollment
lower
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Engrossed measure signed, returned to House
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 40 Nays: 5
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Committee
Referred for engrossment
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 80 Nays: 9
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Government Oversight Committee
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass General Government
lower
Feb 4, 2025
Committee
Referred to General Government
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
lower
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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