Government Transparency
The Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, in plain English
What the law requires of every public body, from posting the agenda to closing the door for executive session. Every rule links to the statute. Checked against the official text in October 2026.
Who is covered
City councils, town boards of trustees, county commissions, school boards, public trusts and authorities, state boards and commissions, and every committee or subcommittee of a public body. 25 O.S. § 304(1) The Act's purpose is "to encourage and facilitate an informed citizenry's understanding of the governmental processes and governmental problems." 25 O.S. § 302
What is a meeting
A majority of the members conducting the body's business together, in person or by an authorized videoconference. A social gathering is not a meeting if no business is discussed. 25 O.S. § 304(2)
No decisions by text, email or phone. A majority may not use informal gatherings or electronic or telephone communications to decide any action or take any vote. 25 O.S. § 306
Notice and posting
| Meeting | What notice | When |
|---|---|---|
| Regularly scheduled | Yearly schedule filed with the clerk (or Secretary of State); agenda with date, time and place posted in prominent public view at the principal office, or on the website with an email list | Schedule by December 15; agenda at least 24 hours ahead, not counting Saturdays, Sundays or state holidays § 311(A)(1), (9), (10) |
| Change to the regular schedule | Written notice to the clerk | At least 10 days ahead § 311(A)(8) |
| Special | Written notice of date, time and place to the clerk; mailed or delivered to everyone who asked; agenda posted | Notice 48 hours ahead; agenda 24 hours ahead; weekends and holidays excluded § 311(A)(12) |
| Emergency | As much notice as reasonably possible, in person, by phone or electronically | Only for injury to persons, injury and damage to property, or immediate financial loss §§ 304(5), 311(A)(13) |
| Continued or reconvened | Announced at the original meeting | Only items on the original agenda §§ 304(6), 311(A)(11) |
Posting on the website instead of at the office? You must also keep a free email list anyone can join, email the agenda at least 24 hours ahead, and keep a copy at the office during business hours. 25 O.S. § 311(A)(9)(a)(2)
Posting deadline calculator
The Governor picks either December 24 or 26 as a holiday each year. We treat both as holidays so the deadline is never later than the law allows.
Writing the agenda
The agenda must "identify all items of business to be transacted." 25 O.S. § 311(B)(1) Oklahoma courts require plain language a person of ordinary education can understand, and a deceptively vague agenda is a willful violation. Haworth Bd. of Educ. v. Havens, 637 P.2d 902 (Okla. Civ. App. 1981); Rogers v. Excise Bd. of Greer Cnty., 1984 OK 95, 701 P.2d 754
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Streets | Discussion and possible action to approve, deny or table a $412,000 contract with ABC Paving, Inc. for the 2027 street overlay program |
| Personnel | Vote to enter executive session under 25 O.S. § 307(B)(1) to discuss the annual evaluation of the City Manager |
| Other business | New business: any matter not known about or which could not have been reasonably foreseen prior to the time of posting the agenda (25 O.S. § 311(A)(10)) |
| Legal | Executive session under 25 O.S. § 307(B)(4) for confidential communications with the city attorney about Smith v. City of Example, Rogers County Case No. CJ-2026-123, which the council, on the attorney's advice, has determined disclosure would seriously impair |
New business is allowed only at regular meetings and only for matters that truly could not have been foreseen. § 311(A)(10) A special meeting may consider only items on the posted agenda. § 311(A)(12)
Executive session
Closed sessions are allowed only for the purposes listed in 25 O.S. § 307(B). The ones local bodies use most:
- (B)(1) The employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline or resignation of an individual salaried officer or employee. Name the person or unique position. 1997 OK AG 61 General job openings and outside contractors do not qualify. 2006 OK AG 17; 2005 OK AG 29
- (B)(2) Negotiations with employees and employee groups.
- (B)(3) The sale, purchase, lease, acquisition or appraisal of real property. Anyone who could profit from the deal stays out. § 307(D)
- (B)(4) Confidential communications with the body's attorney about a pending investigation, claim or action, when the body, on the attorney's advice, determines disclosure would seriously impair its position.
- (B)(7) Matters where disclosure would violate state or federal confidentiality law.
Four questions before you close the door. 1. Is the purpose on the § 307(B) list? 2. Does the agenda say an executive session will be proposed, identify the items and purposes, and cite the specific paragraph? § 311(B)(2) 3. Will a majority of a quorum vote to enter, on the record? § 307(E)(2) 4. Will every vote on the matter happen back in open session? § 307(E)(3)
No executive session by videoconference. § 307.1(B) A willful violation exposes each member to criminal penalties and makes the session's minutes and recordings public. § 307(F)
Votes, minutes and recording
Every member's vote is publicly cast and recorded. 25 O.S. § 305 Minutes show members present and absent, every matter considered, every action taken, and the manner and time of notice. § 312(A) Anyone attending may record the meeting by video, audio or any other method, as long as it does not interfere with the meeting. § 312(C)
Videoconference meetings
At least a quorum in person at the posted site; every remote site listed with its address and phone number and the member at each; every site open to the public; materials shared among members available to the public at the same time; roll-call votes. 25 O.S. § 307.1(A) If a code or password is needed to join, it goes in the notice. § 311(A)(14)
Public comment
The Act does not require a comment period. 2002 OK AG 26 Once a body allows comment, the First Amendment applies: fair, content-neutral rules (sign-up, an equal time limit, topics within the body's authority) are fine; rules against criticism or particular viewpoints are not. The body cannot act on a topic raised in comment unless it is on the agenda. Our public comment course covers the details.
Violations
Actions taken in willful violation are invalid. 25 O.S. § 313 A willful violation is a misdemeanor: up to a $500 fine, up to a year in county jail, or both. § 314(A) Any person may sue for declaratory or injunctive relief and recover attorney fees if successful. § 314(B)
Quick agenda check
Paste your agenda items below, one per line, for an instant rule check. Nothing is saved. For the full workspace with AI review, executive session tools and Word export, request a free Agenda Desk account.
General information, not legal advice. Your attorney has the final word.