House Bill No. 2163 establishes the Public Access Counselor Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to oversee and facilitate the review of denied open records requests. Individuals whose requests for public records are denied, except for those related to the Legislature, can file a review request with the Public Access Counselor within thirty days of the denial. The bill outlines the procedures for filing these requests, prohibits filings made for commercial purposes, and mandates that the Public Access Counselor notify the relevant public body. The Attorney General is tasked with issuing binding opinions on these requests within sixty days and may also provide advisory opinions to public bodies regarding compliance with open records laws.

Additionally, the bill amends the duties of the Attorney General to include investigating and prosecuting violations of the Oklahoma Open Records Act and the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. It specifies that public bodies complying with the Attorney General's advice are immune from liability, and it allows for the possibility of filing suit in district court if the public body does not comply with the advisement. The bill also includes provisions for handling frivolous requests and ensures that certain confidential information remains protected during the review process. An emergency clause is included, allowing the act to take effect immediately upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 74-18b
Floor (House): 74-18b
Floor (Senate): 74-18b
Engrossed: 74-18b
Enrolled (final version): 74-18b