Oklahoma
State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
405-521-5774
For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2008
State Senate Approves Measure Enhancing
Legislative Transparency
The full Senate has given approval to a bill that would enable
the public to find out which legislation was requested by a state
agency or lobbyist. Senate Bill 1962, authored by Senator Anthony
Sykes, was approved unanimously on Thursday. The Moore lawmaker
said this is an enhancement of the Taxpayer Transparency Act approved
last year to enable the public to track how all their tax dollars
are appropriated through the Internet.
“One of the things I observed during my first session was
that most bills are agency request bills. It seemed like every time
a bill was presented, the Senator would stand up and say ‘this
is an agency request bill’ and that was about it as far as
an explanation as to why the legislation was being proposed. It
appeared that the bureaucracy was driving the process,” Sykes
said. “Under my bill, the public can track which state agencies
are requesting legislation, and what that legislation does.”
During the committee process, Tulsa Senator Tom
Adelson added language that would also require disclosure of
bills specifically requested by lobbyists. This amendment was welcomed
by Senator Sykes.
“The public needs every assurance that members of the legislature
are there to serve their needs, not those of a special interest,”
Adelson said. “By disclosing who the stakeholders are on legislation,
I believe we’re opening up the process, and creating more
transparency and accountability.”
SB 1962 next moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration.
For more information contact:
Senator Sykes' Office: (405) 521-5569
Senator Adelson's Office: (405) 521-5551
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