Oklahoma Senate Bill SB473

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Courts; requiring maintenance and publication of certain calendar by Supreme Court and Court of Civil Appeals. Effective date.

Impact

The enactment of SB473 represents a significant step toward modernizing the judicial calendar in Oklahoma. By requiring the state’s highest courts to maintain a publicly available, updated calendar, the legislation ensures that important information regarding upcoming hearings and proceedings is accessible. Such transparency could potentially improve the efficiency of court operations by allowing interested parties to track case progress more effectively. Furthermore, the integration of public calendars from the Supreme Court and the Court of Civil Appeals alike enhances the consistency of information presented to the public.

Summary

Senate Bill 473 aims to enhance the transparency and accessibility of court proceedings in Oklahoma by mandating the Supreme Court and the Court of Civil Appeals to maintain and publish a calendar of cases that are pending before the courts. This new law stipulates that the calendar will include essential information such as the dates for hearings, the schedule for cases challenging the constitutionality of legislative acts, and other critical judicial activities. The intention of this bill is to provide litigants, attorneys, and the public with better visibility into the operations of the courts, thereby promoting greater awareness and understanding of the judicial process.

Contention

While the overarching aim of SB473 is to facilitate a more informed public and improve court accessibility, there may be points of contention regarding the practicality and administrative burden of maintaining and regularly updating these calendars. Questions might be raised about the sufficiency of the resources allocated to implement such a system and whether all necessary information can be provided and kept current without overwhelming the involved court staff. Thus, while the intent is well-received, the implementation details warrant careful consideration and planning.