Records opinion affects lawmakers

Communications between lawmakers and state agencies are subject to Oklahoma's Open Records Act, according to an attorney general's opinion released Thursday.

However, lawmakers themselves do not have to disclose the communications, including e-mails, because the Legislature exempts itself from the state Open Records Act.

Public bodies including state agencies are compelled to disclose such communications with lawmakers, the opinion states.

Written or electronic exchanges between legislators are not subject to the Open Records Act, the attorney general said Thursday.

The communications aren't open because the Legislature and legislators don't come within the act's definition of a public body, Attorney General Drew Edmondson said.

The opinion requested by Rep. Mike Reynolds, R-Oklahoma City, concludes that communications between lawmakers, whether in written or electronic form, are not subject to disclosure.

The opinion written by Assistant Attorney General John Crittenden states that records of expenses incurred by legislators and their employees are subject to disclosure.