By Emma Murphy, Oklahoma Voice
OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office on Monday launched an online portal to accept complaints of denied open records requests.
House Bill 2163, which became law this year, gave the Attorney General’s Office the power to enforce violations of the Open Records Act.It outlined a review process for denied public records requests.
The Public Access Counselor Unit will handle complaints made through the portal and evaluate their merit.
Attorney General Gentner Drummond said in a statement that the new law gives his office the authority to seek “legal enforcement” when government entities fail to comply with open records laws.
“Oklahomans had no legal recourse if a government agency wrongfully denied their records request, unless they pursued costly litigation,” he said in a statement. “This broken system has silenced legitimate requests and excluded everyday Oklahomans who simply can’t afford long legal fights.”
With the new complaint system, the Public Access Counselor Unit will review requests and offer mediation services, according to a news release. After receiving the complaint, the unit has 60 days to work with both parties to ensure compliance with Oklahoma’s Open Records Act.
Anthony Sykes is named as the public access counselor, according to the complaint portal.
Gov. Kevin Stitt vetoed the bill because he said the measure would give Attorney General Gentner Drummond “sweeping and unchecked authority” to access records from all state agencies, an “unprecedented” power in Oklahoma. Lawmakers overturned the veto.
