STATE OF OKLAHOMA

2nd Session of the 54th Legislature (2014)

SENATE BILL 1497	By:	Holt

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to attorney fees; amending 25 O.S. 2011, Section 314, which relates to violations of the Open Meeting Act; authorizing certain suits; allowing award of attorney fees under certain circumstances; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     25 O.S. 2011, Section 314, is amended to read as follows:
Section 314.  A.  Any person or persons willfully violating any of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a period not exceeding one (1) year or by both such fine and imprisonment.
B.  Any person denied access to meetings of a public body, other than executive sessions pursuant to Section 307 of this title:
1.  May bring a civil suit for declarative or injunctive relief, or both; and
2.  If successful, shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees.
C.  If the public body successfully defends a civil suit and the court finds that the suit was clearly frivolous, the public body shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2014.

54-2-2770	TEK	1/14/2014 2:49:42 PM