SB 535: Oklahoma Open Records Act; modifying requirements for public body to complete certain records requests. Effective date. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates the definitions of key terms in the Oklahoma Open Records Act to clarify what counts as a 'record' and who qualifies as a 'public body.' It specifically adds 'licensure matters' (like marriage licenses and bail bond registrations) to the definition of records, while explicitly excluding computer software and personal items. The bill also refines the definition of 'public body' to include various government committees but explicitly excludes judges, legislators, and tax-exempt colleges and universities from the open records requirement.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was expanded to include specific licensure documents as open records, while the applicability was narrowed by explicitly excluding judges, legislators, and certain educational institutions from the definition of a 'public body.'

DEFINITION

Expanded the definition of 'Record' to explicitly include applications and documents related to licensure matters, such as marriage licenses, process server licenses, and bail bondsmen registration.

Updated the definition of 'Record' to explicitly exclude computer software and nongovernment personal effects.

Broadened the definition of 'Public body' to include various advisory groups, task forces, and study groups.

Explicitly excluded judges, justices, the Legislature, and legislators from the definition of 'public body.'

Added an exemption for organizations exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically colleges and universities and their affiliated entities.

Refined the definition of 'Law enforcement agency' to include state and local fire marshals when investigating criminal violations.

Committee Substitute → Floor (House) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was converted from a 'Committee Substitute' draft to a 'Floor Version' intended for the House of Representatives. While the substantive policy language regarding the Open Records Act appears identical, the document now includes specific formatting headers and page numbers required for legislative floor processing.

TECHNICAL

The document header was updated to reflect the 'House of Representatives - Floor Version' status, replacing the previous 'Committee Substitute' designation.

Page numbering and footer text were adjusted to match the new floor version format, including the addition of 'BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments' instructions.

Redundant 'Committee Substitute' headers and blank lines were removed to streamline the document for the House floor.

Specific page headers (e.g., 'SB535 HFLR') and page numbers were added to the new version.

House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill → Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a procedural change in its legislative status, moving from a 'House Committee Substitute' to a 'Committee Substitute' for Senate Bill 535. Additionally, the document's internal page numbering and reference numbers were updated to match the new version. No substantive changes to the law's definitions, exemptions, or requirements were made.

TECHNICAL

The document title was updated to indicate the bill is now a 'Committee Substitute' rather than a 'House Committee Substitute', reflecting its progression through the legislative process.

The reference number at the top of the document was changed from 'Req. No. 13570' to 'Req. No. 1733', likely to track the specific version of the bill in the legislative record.

Minor formatting adjustments were made to the spacing and indentation of the text throughout the document.

Enrolled (final version) → House Committee Substitute for Senate Bill · 1 edit

MINOR

The bill text has been updated to reflect a House Committee Substitute version, which primarily involves formatting changes, page numbering, and the insertion of committee reference numbers. No substantive policy changes, new definitions, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria were added or removed in this specific diff.

TECHNICAL

The document structure was altered to include House Committee Substitute headers, page numbers, and committee reference numbers (e.g., 'Req. No. 13570') that were not present in the Enrolled Senate version.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 3 edits · May 27, 2025

MINOR

The bill was finalized and enacted into law, transitioning from an 'Engrossed' draft to an 'Enrolled' version. The substantive policy changes include expanding the definition of 'Law enforcement agency' to explicitly list specific departments like the Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics. Additionally, the confidentiality exemptions for public records were updated to include new categories such as test forms for licensure exams, lottery prize applicant data, vehicle movement records for toll collection, and personal financial information used for credit evaluations.

Scope change

The scope of the Oklahoma Open Records Act was expanded to include specific law enforcement agencies in the definition and added new exemptions for certain types of sensitive data, including licensure test materials and financial records.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Law enforcement agency' was updated to explicitly list the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation.

REQUIREMENT

New exemptions were added to the Open Records Act to protect test forms and answer keys for state licensure exams, personal financial information used for credit checks, lottery applicant data, and vehicle movement records for electronic toll collection.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was finalized and formatted for enactment, changing the header from 'Engrossed Senate' to 'Enrolled Senate' and correcting minor formatting inconsistencies found in the draft version.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 3 edits · May 15, 2025

MINOR

The bill amends the Oklahoma Open Records Act to clarify what constitutes a 'record' and to expand the definition of 'public body' to include certain entities involved in licensure matters. It also adds specific exemptions for confidential medical information, preliminary investigation findings, and standardized test materials.

Scope change

The scope of records subject to disclosure was expanded to include licensure-related documents filed in district courts, while specific categories of sensitive information were added to the list of exempt records.

DEFINITION

The definition of 'Record' was updated to explicitly include applications and documents related to licensure matters filed in district courts, such as marriage licenses and bail bondsman registrations.

The definition of 'Public body' was expanded to include offices, departments, and entities created by a trust, county, city, or other local government unit, broadening the range of entities subject to the Open Records Act.

REQUIREMENT

New exemptions were added to protect confidential medical information, hearsay or unsubstantiated preliminary investigation findings, and test forms or answer keys for state licensure examinations.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 1 edit · May 15, 2025

MINOR

The bill was amended to update statutory references and formatting errors, specifically correcting the list of law enforcement agencies by removing trailing semicolons and punctuation. The scope of the bill remains focused on the Oklahoma Open Records Act, with no substantive changes to definitions, eligibility, funding, or enforcement mechanisms.

Scope change

No change to the bill's scope or applicability; the amendment corrects technical errors in the statutory text.

TECHNICAL

Corrected punctuation errors in the definition of 'Law enforcement agency' by removing unnecessary semicolons after listed entities.

Oklahoma Open Records Act; modifying requirements for public body to complete certain records requests. Effective date.

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