Oklahoma Open Meeting Act; creating the First Amendment Open Meetings Protection Act; public meeting recordings; Legislature; legislative committee meetings; monetary damages; effective date.

HB 2940, the "First Amendment Open Meetings Protection Act," protects citizens' right to record public meetings in Oklahoma, including legislative committee sessions (unless confidential or lawfully closed). It explicitly prohibits public bodies and their staff from stopping attendees from recording meetings via video, audio, or other methods, as long as the recording doesn’t disrupt the meeting. The bill adds a new remedy allowing individuals unlawfully barred from recording to sue for monetary damages. This directly affects all Oklahomans attending public meetings and requires government bodies to allow recording without interference. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.