Bill > HB2940

This bill creates the First Amendment Open Meetings Protection Act, which amends Oklahoma's existing open meeting law to strengthen public recording rights at government meetings. Specifically, the bill prohibits public bodies, their staff, and security personnel from preventing individuals from recording meeting proceedings using video, audio, or other recording methods, as long as the recording does not disrupt the meeting. The bill notably extends recording permissions to include legislative committee meetings (with exceptions for confidential sessions) and the Oklahoma Legislature itself. Additionally, the bill provides a new legal remedy by allowing individuals who are unlawfully prevented from recording a public meeting to sue for monetary damages. The law will become effective on November 1, 2026, and aims to enhance transparency and public access to government proceedings by protecting citizens' rights to document official meetings.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2940&Session=2600