The bill amends the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, specifically 25 O.S. 2021, Section 311, to enhance the notice requirements for public meetings held by various public bodies. It mandates that all public bodies provide written notice of their regularly scheduled meetings by December 15 each year, detailing the date, time, and place. Additionally, it introduces a requirement for public bodies to maintain an email distribution system for meeting notices, allowing individuals to request inclusion without charge. The bill stipulates that public bodies may require participants in the email system to confirm their request annually, and if not confirmed, they may be removed from the distribution list.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that public notice of meetings must be displayed at least 24 hours in advance, excluding weekends and holidays, and outlines the procedures for special meetings, including a 48-hour notice requirement. It also clarifies that in the event of an emergency, public bodies may hold meetings without prior notice but must provide as much advance notice as possible under the circumstances. The effective date for these changes is set for November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 25-311