Oklahoma House Bill HB1919

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Open records; requests; catalog; Oklahoma Secretary of State; effective date.

Impact

The implementation of HB1919 is expected to transform the handling of public records in Oklahoma. By creating a centralized and searchable database of open records requests, the bill seeks to streamline the process and promote greater public access to government information. This change could lead to improved trust in government processes as it allows citizens to track the status of their requests and understand how public resources are being managed and utilized.

Summary

House Bill 1919 mandates that all open records requests made to state agencies in Oklahoma be cataloged and made accessible in a searchable format on the Oklahoma Secretary of State's website. This bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability within state government by ensuring that the process and content of public record requests are easily accessible to the public. The catalog will include important details such as the date each request was made, thereby providing insight into how the government is handling public inquiries.

Contention

While the bill is generally viewed positively for its emphasis on openness, some concerns may arise regarding the effectiveness and truthfulness of the execution. Critics argue that without proper oversight and resources allocated to maintain the database, the intended transparency could fall short. Additional points of contention may also include the potential for misuse of information and privacy concerns for individuals or entities whose records are published.