Oklahoma § 17-180.13

§ 17-180.13.

Compliance with Open Meeting Act — Exemptions.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

A. While the Oklahoma Corporation Commission is subject to the

Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, Corporation Commissioners are exempt from

and may discuss administrative, operational, and procedural matters

of the Corporation Commission between or among Commissioners, even

if a quorum is present, provided the discussions do not address

appropriation of Corporation Commission funds and no official action

is taken. Corporation Commissioners may not discuss pending

legislative matters before the Corporation Commission without

complying with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. The administrative,

operational, and procedural matters authorized under this subsection

are limited to the following:

1. Scheduling of agenda items to be set before the Corporation

Commission for an emergency, regular, or special meeting;

2. Prioritizing cases pending before the Corporation

Commission;

3. Identifying legislative changes, proposed or passed, and

their effects on the Corporation Commission;

4. Discussing public and media statements;

5. Discussing organizational structure;

6. Discussing internal processes;

7. Discussing staffing needs;

8. Receiving informational updates from Corporation Commission

staff on the business of the Corporation Commission, as long as such

updates do not pertain to pending legislative proceedings of the

Corporation Commission;

9. Conducting regular staff meetings where discussions of the

day-to-day management of the Corporation Commission occur, as long

as such updates do not pertain to pending legislative proceedings of

the Corporation Commission;

10. Interviewing potential employees for the position of

Director of Administration and Division Directors; and

11. Assessing performance reviews and duties of the Director of

Administration and Division Directors.

B. Corporation Commissioners may attend and participate in

conferences, training, educational, press, and social events, where

the topic of these events is the Corporation Commission, even if a

quorum is present, provided that no official action is taken and any

discussion of the business of the Corporation Commission is

incidental to the event.

C. Corporation Commissioners may not discuss any pending

legislative proceedings of the Corporation Commission without

complying with the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.

D. Corporation Commissioners may attend and participate in

meetings and proceedings of the Legislature, even if a quorum is

present, provided that no official action is taken.

E. As used in this subsection, the term "event" means any

matters authorized in subsections A through D of this section.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

After participating in any events authorized by this section, the

Corporation Commission shall be required to provide timely

documentation, in the form and manner as determined by a public vote

of the Corporation Commission, which may be amended subject to the

requirements of this section. This documentation is for the purpose

of providing public notice of the subject matter received by or

discussed between or among Commissioners, even if a quorum is

present, outside of a public meeting. Such documentation shall be

posted to the Corporation Commission's website within five (5)

business days following the event. However, should the Corporation

Commission wish to take potential action on the subject of a

disclosed event, such potential action item shall be documented at

least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the Corporation Commission

considering such item at a public meeting.

F. Should the Corporation Commission make any changes to the

date, time, or place, including cancellation of any regularly

scheduled meeting, the Corporation Commission shall provide notice

in writing to the Secretary of State as required by paragraph 8 of

subsection A of Section 311 of Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes;

provided that the Corporation Commission may file the required

notice not less than five (5) days prior to the implementation of

any such change or cancellation.

G. The Corporation Commission shall implement periodic training

on the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act for Commissioners and designated

staff.

H. The provisions of this section shall cease to have the force

and effect of law on July 1, 2026.

Added by Laws 2024, c. 188, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2024.