PONCA CITY, Okla. — Members of the Oklahoma Press Association and the Oklahoma Attorney General's office are traveling the state presenting seminars on the state's open meeting and open record acts.
The seminars are designed to answer questions and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the law.
Under the law, many records kept by law enforcement, school boards, health departments, counties, cities and other public bodies are open to the public.
These items include arrest affidavits, police radio logs, inmate listings, and restaurant inspections conducted by the State Department of Health.
"We often hear about officials worried about the public knowing about decision making," said assistant attorney general Gay Tudor. "Maybe they are in the wrong business."
Oklahoma's First Assistant General Attorney General, Tom Gruber said that the two laws are important to the public because the nation was founded on the principle of open government and that the Acts were created to keep government transparent so that people can understand what is being done.
Under the law, a public body is defined as the governing bodies of all municipalities located within Oklahoma, boards of county commissioners, boards of public and higher education, and all boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies, trustee-ships, authorities, councils, committees, public trusts, task forces or study groups in the state supported in whole or in part by public funds or entrusted with the expending of public funds, or administering public property, and sell include all committees or subcommittees or any public body.
Meeting shel day public bodies must be open to the public and held at a convenient time in and open public place.
Tudor spoke of a story about a public bod that held a meeting in locked building on a holiday which would not be approved under the Act.
"I had one public body ask if they could hold a meeting on a cruise ship," said Tudor. "The answer is no."
A public body must also post an agenda 24 hours before a regularly scheduled meeting and 48 hours before a special meeting.
Gruber explained that agendas should explain clearly what is going to be discussed. "If you wanted to go to someone's meeting what would you need to know in order to decide if you wanted to attend," he asked. 'That is the information that needs to on the agenda."
Another rule is that the board members may only discuss what is on the agenda.
The fine for violating the Act ranges from a $500 fine to imprisonment.
Tudor explained that public records must be publicly accessible during regular business hours and that under the law, members of the public have the right to request, copy and review public documents including records of government spending, jail logs and police affidavits.
The requesting party may not be charged more than 25 vents per copy. However if a person makes a request tat may require extensive searching or copying, a search fee may be charged.
During the seminar, Braman, mayor Jerry Johnston asked Tudor if small towns with only one office worker have to supply requested documents.
The answer is yes. Tudor said the size of the town or staff is no excuse not not to prove the documents.
Citizens who believe they have been denied public records should make a report with their local law enforcement.
