Edmondson hosted his fourth Open Records and Open Meetings seminar, part of a statewide tour, at Rudisill Regional Library.

A variety of local officials were in the audience to hear Edmondson and Gay Tudor, a top aide to Edmondson, answer questions and give an overview of the state's open records and open meetings laws.

"We don't like reading public officials their rights; we like having these seminars," Edmondson said.

The most common misconceptions involve closed meetings of public groups, Edmondson said.

"I think the suspicion level goes up in the audience when the public board calls an executive session," he said.

Executive session can be called only under certain circumstances involving specific personnel issues, legal issues, terrorism defense and schools dealing with student issues.

Most importantly, voting cannot take place in executive session, Tudor said.

Public groups meeting in closed session are required to take minutes during the session, but Edmondson said there's an even better way to protect against litigation.

"I recommend tape-recording executive sessions, because if someone were to raise concerns, you have a record of what you discussed that a judge could listen to," he said. "The other reason is if you're recording, the executive meeting's usually shorter."

Another misconception is about open-records requests, which can include books, papers, photographs, microfilm and data files, with some exceptions.

Tudor said there are limits both on how much money you can charge the requester and on how restrictive you can be with records.

"It's important to confront the requester up front," she said. "We can't give away public money or time, so it's reasonable to ask for money up front."

She said those who are convicted of violating the laws can be sentenced to up to one year in jail and up to $500 in fines, or both.

Get your copy

The 15th edition of the Open Meeting and Open Records book will be released soon, which includes the law revisions taking effect Nov. 1. To order a $15 book or for more information, call (888) 815-2672.

Althea Peterson 581-8361
althea.peterson@tulsaworld.com