This bill amends Section 18b of Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which outlines the duties of the Attorney General. A significant addition to this section is the requirement for the Attorney General to publish a summary report detailing the total costs incurred by the State of Oklahoma in defending or representing the state regarding any statute or constitutional modification declared unconstitutional by a court. This report must be published by November 1, 2026, and subsequently every four years. The report will include estimates of the value of services performed by attorneys and litigation support personnel, actual costs incurred for outside counsel, and information on whether the Attorney General advised legislative members about potential risks of unconstitutionality during the legislative process.

Additionally, the report will provide a plain language summary of the judicial opinion that declared the statute or constitutional provision unconstitutional, as well as details on any attorney fees awarded to the opposing party as a result of the judgment. The bill aims to enhance transparency regarding the financial implications of legal challenges to state laws and to ensure that the legislature is informed about the risks associated with the laws they consider. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 74-18b