The bill amends Section 311 of Title 25 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which governs public participation at meetings of public bodies. Key changes include the requirement for public bodies to provide written notice of their meeting schedules by December 15 each year, and to display public notice of meetings at least 24 hours in advance through various methods, including posting on their websites and via email distribution. The bill also clarifies that no action may be taken on matters raised during public comment unless they are specifically included on the meeting agenda. Additionally, it allows public bodies to establish rules regarding public comment, ensuring that criticism of their actions cannot be prohibited, while maintaining order during meetings.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for public comment, allowing any interested member of the public to address the public body on agenda items or relevant non-agenda items during designated times. It specifies that public bodies may not restrict criticism of their policies or actions, except as prohibited by law. The bill also outlines exceptions to these requirements for emergency situations and meetings not covered by the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act. The effective date for these changes is set for November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 25-311