Bill > HB3837

This bill, known as the Oklahoma Government Transparency and Judicial Accountability Act, clarifies the scope of investigations by the Council on Judicial Complaints, which is an agency responsible for investigating complaints about the conduct of individuals holding judicial or similar powers. The act expands the types of individuals the Council can investigate to include executive branch officials when they are performing judicial or quasi-judicial duties, as well as other individuals authorized by law to exercise such powers, such as magistrates, court commissioners, and administrative law judges. It also establishes a process for referring complaints that have merit to appropriate entities like the Court of the Judiciary, the Attorney General, or the Legislature for further review, aiming to enhance accountability. Furthermore, the bill modifies the definition of a "judicial officer" to encompass these broader categories of individuals and clarifies rules regarding partisan political activity for those in judicial roles, with an exception for executive branch officials who are constitutionally or statutorily required to run in partisan elections. The bill also declares an emergency, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3837&Session=2600