Oklahoma Democrats ask for Attorney General ruling on investigation's closed meetings

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Oklahoma Democrats are asking for the Attorney General to weigh in on the closed meetings of an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against state representatives.

Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Scott Inman requested Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt for an official opinion on the House Rules Committee having closed meetings while they investigate claims of sexual harassment and wrongful termination involving Oklahoma Representatives. Pruitt is in Washington D.C. following his confirmation hearing to head the EPA.

Inman asked for an opinion on the following questions:

1. The Open Meeting Act specifically excludes the Legislature from the definition of “Public Body” yet, the Legislature is not exempt from the Open Meeting Act. In fact, 25 O.S. Section 309, expressly shows that the Legislature is bound by the Open Meeting Act wherein it states that “the Legislature shall conduct open meetings in accordance with the rules to be adopted by each house thereof.” Title 25 of the Oklahoma statutes addresses the authority by which the Legislature or Legislative Committees are empowered to close a meeting through the adoption of a rule. Seeing as the House has not adopted rules for the 56th Legislature, and considering that the previous rules under the 55th Legislature are no longer in effect; what is the legal authority that would exempt the Chairman and Members of the House Rules Committee/Special Investigation Committee from a willful violation of the Open Meeting Act of the State of Oklahoma each time that they participate/meet or cast a vote in a closed/executive session?
2. How would the Committee be exempted from the application of the penalty provisions of the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act, specifically section 314, each time that they meet and each time they cast a vote?

The committee is led by State Rep. Josh Cockroft (R-Wanette). The bi-partisan group was tasked by Speaker of the House Charles McCall to investigate complaints of sexual harassment and wrongful termination settlements stemming from an incident with State Rep. Dan Kirby. The committee is also looking into complaints against State Rep. Will Fourkiller.

Kirby briefly resigned his position in the House before rescinding.

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After establishing the rules for the committee, members were asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Several Democrats on the panel have pulled out of the investigation due to the closed-door meetings. Cockroft states that having the meetings closed protects the privacy of those who make claims of harassment and discrimination.