Bill > HB3842

This bill, titled the "Legislative Transparency, Accountability, and Open Meetings Act of 2026," aims to increase transparency in state government by making the Oklahoma Legislature and its various committees, task forces, and working groups subject to the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, which requires advance public notice, agendas, public observation and recording, and timely posting of minutes or records for all meetings, with invalidation of any action taken in violation unless it's a constitutionally authorized caucus meeting where no official action is taken. It also mandates that legislators who receive campaign contributions, gifts, travel, or anything of value from registered lobbyists or their principals that materially relate to a bill they are involved with must file a "Lobbyist Impact Statement" (LIS) detailing the lobbyist, the benefit received, and its connection to the bill, with failure to do so resulting in an ethics violation, potential removal from committee assignments, and a misdemeanor penalty. Furthermore, the bill requires legislators to file a "Nondisclosure Agreement (NDA) Disclosure Statement" within five business days of signing any such agreement, detailing the entity requesting it, its basis, the associated subject matter, and duration, with these disclosures becoming public records, and it prohibits NDAs from restricting a legislator's ability to communicate with constituents, disclose information for legislative deliberation, vote, or inform other officials, declaring any such restrictive NDA void and imposing penalties for non-disclosure. Additionally, the bill prohibits state agencies, public trusts, and contractors from requiring legislators to sign NDAs, confidentiality agreements, or waivers of rights unless expressly authorized by statute, deeming such attempts void and an obstruction of legislative oversight, with penalties for violations including referral to the Attorney General and audits. Finally, any existing statutes, rules, policies, or legislative orders that conflict with this act are repealed to the extent of the conflict, and the act is declared an emergency measure to take effect immediately upon passage and approval, with its provisions becoming effective July 1, 2026.

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3842&Session=2600