Gann Announces ‘Open Legislature Initiative’ to Subject Lawmakers to Transparency Laws

Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola, one of three Oklahoma House members who went to the Supreme Court to challenge Oklahoma Corporation Commission votes, wants more openness on the agency as well as others in state government.

He takes issue with a year-old law passed by the legislature that allows the Commission to meet in secrecy and not allow the public any notification until after the meeting is held.

Before the end of the filing deadline last week, Gann filed House Bill 3842, which he is calling the Open Legislature Initiative. It is formally titled the Legislative Transparency, Accountability, and Open Meetings Act of 2026.

His comprehensive transparency package is aimed at bringing the Oklahoma Legislature under the state’s open meetings and open records standards, calling the move “necessary to restore public trust and end a culture of secrecy in state government.”

In addition to requiring continued public notice and recording of legislative meetings for the Oklahoma House of the state Senate, the measure would mandate disclosure of lobbyist influence tied to legislation and prohibit nondisclosure agreements that interfere with lawmakers’ official duties.

“The Legislature cannot demand transparency from every other public body while exempting itself,” Gann said. “If we expect open government, we must lead by example.”

Gann said recent events have highlighted the need for reform. He pointed to criticism surrounding the Legislative Compensation Board, which met in executive session before approving pay raises, as well as growing efforts by other government bodies to secure exemptions from open-meeting requirements.

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has received an exemption for some discussions, and county commissioners in multiple counties have sought similar treatment, he said.

“When the Legislature operates outside transparency laws, it incentivizes others to do the same,” Gann said. “That is how secrecy spreads through government.”

Under Gann’s proposal, the Legislature and all committees, conference committees, task forces and working groups would be required to:

• provide advance public notice and agendas;
• allow public observation and recording of meetings;
• post meeting records online within seven days; and
• refrain from taking votes outside Open Meeting Act compliance.
• 

Under the bill, any legislative action taken in violation of the act would be invalid.

The measure also would require lawmakers to file a Lobbyist Impact Statement if they have received campaign contributions, gifts or other benefits from lobbyists connected to legislation they sponsor. Failure to file the Lobbyist Impact Statement would constitute an ethics violation and carry criminal penalties. Lawmakers are currently required to submit campaign finance and financial disclosures to the Oklahoma Ethics Commission.

Additionally, the bill would mandate that legislators disclose any nondisclosure agreements they sign, and any agreement restricting communication with constituents or legislative deliberation would be void.

“Open meetings and open records are the ethical foundation of representative government,” Gann said. “Secrecy erodes trust, and trust is essential to a functioning republic.”

Gann noted that a separate resolution, HR 1001, is still eligible for consideration. That proposal would further guarantee additional recorded votes on legislation and prevent bills from being blocked without public accountability.

“Oklahomans deserve to know who voted, who blocked a vote and why,” Gann said.

If enacted, the Legislative Transparency, Accountability, and Open Meetings Act of 2026 would take effect July 1, 2026. It will be eligible for consideration in the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature, which convenes Feb. 2.

The Oklahoma House of Representatives completed bill filing Thursday, Jan. 15, for the Second Regular Session of the 60th Legislature. A total of 1,578 House Bills and 50 House Joint Resolutions were filed before the deadline.

The full text of the bills, along with additional information including authors and co-authors, may be found online at okhouse.gov.

Last year, the Clerk of the House reported 1,928 House Bills, 29 House Joint Resolutions, three House Resolutions, and two House Concurrent Resolutions were filed before the 2025 deadline. Of those, over 1,600 House measures remain eligible for consideration in the 2026 legislative session. Joint resolutions may be filed at any point during the session.