reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-120. Construction and application of act.

A notarial act performed prior to November 1, 1985, is not affected by the provisions of the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts. The Uniform Law on Notarial Acts provides an additional method of proving notarial acts. Nothing in the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts diminishes or invalidates the recognition accorded to notarial acts by other laws or regulations of this state.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 131, § 10, eff. Nov. 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-201. Short title - Remote Online Notary Act.

SHORT TITLE. A. Sections 2 through 15 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Remote Online Notary Act".
B. Nothing in this act shall permit a notary to take testimony, certify transcripts, or otherwise exercise any authority of a certified or licensed shorthand reporter, as provided in Sections 1501 through 1513 of Title 20 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-203. Rulemaking - Administration of standards.

RULEMAKING; ADMINISTRATION OF STANDARDS. A. The Secretary of State shall promulgate rules to implement and ensure the effective administration of the provisions of Sections 1 through 15 of this act and Sections 1 through 12 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The rules shall provide standards for:
1. Ensuring integrity in the creation, transmittal, storage and authentication of electronic signatures, electronic seals and electronic records;
2. The means of performing remote online notarial acts;
3. Communication technology, credential analysis and identity proofing;
4. The retention of journals and audio and visual recordings under Section 7 of this act;
5. Sufficient forms of notarial certificates for remote online notarizations; and
6. Other matters as deemed necessary by the Secretary of State to implement and administer the provisions of Sections 1 through 15 of this act and Sections 1 through 12 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. In promulgating, amending, supplementing and repealing rules under this section, the Secretary of State may consider standards adopted by national standard-setting bodies such as the National Association of Secretaries of State and the Mortgage Industry Standards and Maintenance Organization, the standards and practices of other jurisdictions that have laws substantially similar to the provisions of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and the views of government officials and other interested persons.
C. The rules promulgated under this section may be amended, supplemented and repealed.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-205. Authority to perform remote online notarial acts.

AUTHORITY TO PERFORM REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIAL ACTS. A notary public physically located in this state and authorized to perform remote online notarizations under Section 5 of this act may perform a notarial act by means of communication technology for a remotely located individual who is physically located:
1. In this state;
2. Outside this state but not outside the United States; or
3. Outside the United States if:
a.
the electronic record:
(1)
is to be filed with or relates to a matter before a court, governmental entity, public official or other entity subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, or
(2)
involves property located in the territorial jurisdiction of the United States or a transaction substantially connected to the United States, and
b.
the notary public has no actual knowledge that the act of making the statement or signing the electronic record is prohibited by the foreign state in which the remotely located individual is located.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-206. Electronic record of remote online notarial acts.

ELECTRONIC RECORD OF REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIAL ACTS. A. A notary public shall maintain a journal in a permanent, tamper-evident electronic format complying with standards promulgated by the Secretary of State in which the notary public chronicles all remote online notarial acts that the notary public performs. An entry in a journal shall be made contemporaneously with the performance of the remote online notarial act and contain the following information:
1. The date and time of the remote online notarial act;
2. A description of the document, if any, and type of notarial act;
3. The full name and address of each principal for whom the notarial act is performed;
4. If the identity of the principal is based on personal knowledge, a statement to that effect;
5. If identity of the principal is based on credential analysis and identity proofing, a brief description of the results of the identity verification process and the identification credential remotely presented, including the date of issuance and expiration of the identification credential;
6. If identity of the principal is based on oath or affirmation of a credible witness, the information identified in paragraph 4 or 5 of this subsection, as applicable, that provided a basis for the notary public's identification of the credible witness, a statement of the basis by which the credible witness claims personal knowledge of the principal, the location of the credible witness, and the full name and address of the credible witness; and
7. The fee, if any, charged by the notary public.
B. A notary public, or a person acting on behalf of the notary public, shall create an audio and visual recording of the performance of each remote online notarial act.
C. A notary public shall take reasonable steps to:
1. Ensure the integrity, security and authenticity of remote online notarial acts;
2. Maintain a backup of the journal and the audio and visual recording; and
3. Protect the backup from unauthorized use.
D. A notary public, a guardian, conservator or agent of the notary public, or a personal representative of a deceased notary public shall retain the journal and the audio and visual recording or cause the journal and the recording to be retained by a depository designated by or on behalf of the person required to retain the journal and the recording. The recording shall be retained for at least ten (10) years from the date of the remote online notarial act. The journal shall be retained for at least ten (10) years after the performance of the last remote online notarial act chronicled in the journal.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 7, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-207. Use of electronic signature and seal.

USE OF ELECTRONIC SIGNATURE AND SEAL. A. In performing a remote online notarial act, a notary public shall attach or logically associate the notary public's electronic signature and electronic seal to the certificate of notarial act in a tamper-evident format. The electronic seal shall be capable of being copied together with the electronic record to which it is attached or with which it is logically associated. The certificate shall be attached to or logically associated with the electronic record that is the subject of the remote online notarial act. If the Secretary of State has approved standards under Section 4 of this act for attaching or logically associating the electronic signature, electronic seal or certificate, the process shall conform to the standards.
B. A notary public's use of an electronic signature and electronic seal under this section satisfies the requirement of Section 5 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes that a notary public authenticate an official act with an official signature and seal of office.
C. A notary public shall take reasonable steps to protect the notary public's electronic seal from unauthorized use. A notary public may not allow another person to use the notary public's electronic seal.
D. A notary public shall immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency and the Secretary of State upon actual knowledge of the theft or vandalism of the notary public's journal or electronic seal. A notary public shall immediately notify the Secretary of State upon actual knowledge of the loss or use by another person of the notary public's journal or electronic seal.
E. Unless required as part of the application under subsection C of Section 5 of this act, a notary public is not required to submit an image of the notary public's electronic seal to the Secretary of State. A notary public's electronic seal is not subject to the requirement that an impression be filed with and approved by the Secretary of State under Section 2 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 8, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-208. Remote online notarization procedures.

REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIZATION PROCEDURES. A. Before performing a remote online notarial act, a notary public shall:
1. Reasonably identify the electronic record before the notary public as the same electronic record in which the principal made a statement or on which the principal executed or adopted an electronic signature; and
2. Take reasonable steps to ensure that the communication technology used in the remote online notarial act is secure from unauthorized interception.
B. In performing a remote online notarial act, a notary shall reasonably verify the identity of the principal by:
1. The notary public's personal knowledge of the principal;
2. Each of the following:
a.
remote presentation by the principal of a current government-issued identification credential containing the photograph and signature of the principal,
b.
credential analysis of the identification credential, and
c.
identity proofing of the principal; or
3. Oath or affirmation of a credible witness who personally knows the principal if:
a.
the credible witness is personally known to the notary public, or
b.
the notary public has reasonably verified the identity of the credible witness under paragraph 2 of this subsection.
C. A notary public may:
1. Require a principal or credible witness to provide additional information necessary to assure the notary public of the identity of the principal or credible witness; and
2. Refuse to perform a remote online notarial act if the remote online notary public is not satisfied as to the identity of a principal.
D. A credible witness under subsection B of this section who is:
1. Physically present with a principal at the time of a remote online notarial act may be a remotely located individual if the credible witness and notary public communicate by means of communication technology; or
2. Physically present with a notary public at the time of a remote online notarial act may be outside the physical presence of a principal if the credible witness and principal communicate by means of communication technology.
E. The certificate of notarial act for a remote online notarization shall indicate that the notarial act was a remote online notarial act performed by means of communication technology. A certificate is sufficient to satisfy the requirement of this subsection if it:
1. Complies with standards under Section 4 of this act; or
2. Is in a form otherwise sufficient under the laws of this state and contains a statement substantially as follows: "This remote online notarization involved the use of communication technology."
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 9, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-209. Fees.

FEES. A notary public, or a person acting for or on behalf of a notary public, may charge and collect a fee not to exceed Twenty-five Dollars ($25.00) for a remote online notarial act.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 10, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-210. Termination of notary public's commission.

TERMINATION OF NOTARY PUBLIC'S COMMISSION. A. Except as provided by subsection B of this section, a notary public authorized to perform remote online notarial acts whose commission is terminated or revoked shall destroy the coding, disk, certificate, card, software or password that enables the notary public to attach or logically associate the notary public's electronic signature and electronic seal to an electronic record. A notary public subject to the provisions of this subsection shall certify compliance with this subsection to the Secretary of State. On the death or adjudication of incompetency of a notary public, the notary public's personal representative or guardian shall comply with the provisions of this subsection.
B. A former notary public whose commission is terminated for a reason other than revocation is not required to destroy the items described by subsection A of this section if the former notary public receives a new commission as a notary public within three (3) months of the termination of the notary public's former commission.
C. A notary public's electronic signature and electronic seal shall be destroyed under subsection A of this section if:
1. The notary public's name changes during the term of the notary public's commission; and
2. The notary public elects to use the notary public's new name under a new commission pursuant to paragraph 2 of subsection B of Section 11 of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
D. The termination of a notary public's commission shall not affect the retention requirements of subsection D of Section 7 of this act.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 11, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-211. Legal recognition of remote online notarial acts.

LEGAL RECOGNITION OF REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIAL ACTS. A. A remote online notarization under this act satisfies any requirement of law of this state that a principal appear before, appear personally before, or be in the physical presence of a notary public at the time of the performance of the notarial act.
B. A notary public's verification of a principal's identity under subsection B of Section 9 of this act constitutes satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal and satisfies any requirement of law of this state that the notary public obtain satisfactory evidence of identity of the principal.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 12, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-212. Validity of remote online notarial acts.

VALIDITY OF REMOTE ONLINE NOTARIAL ACTS. The failure of a notary public to perform a duty or meet a requirement specified in this act does not invalidate a remote online notarial act performed by the notary public. The validity of a remote online notarial act under this act does not prevent an aggrieved person from seeking to invalidate the electronic record or transaction that is the subject of the remote online notarial act or from seeking other remedies based on law of this state other than this chapter or based on law of the United States. This section does not validate a purported remote online notarial act performed by an individual who does not have the authority to perform remote online notarial acts.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 13, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-213. Applicable law - Conflict of laws.

APPLICABLE LAW; CONFLICT OF LAWS. A. The validity of a remote online notarization performed under the Remote Online Notary Act is determined by applying the laws of this state, regardless of the physical location of the principal at the time of the remote online notarization.
B. In the event of a conflict between a provision of the Remote Online Notary Act and another provision of Title 49 of the Oklahoma Statutes or any other law of this state, the provision of the Remote Online Notary Act controls.
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 14, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 49. Notaries Public › §49-214. Relation to Electronic Signatures In Global And National Commerce Act.

RELATION TO ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES IN GLOBAL AND NATIONAL COMMERCE ACT. The Remote Online Notary Act modifies, limits and supersedes the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (15 U.S.C. Section 7001, et seq.) but does not modify, limit or supersede Section 101(c) of that act (15 U.S.C. Section 7001(c)) or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in Section 103(b) of that act (15 U.S.C. Section 7003(b)).
Added by Laws 2019, c. 338, § 15, eff. Jan. 1, 2020.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-1. Nuisance defined.

A nuisance consists in unlawfully doing an act, or omitting to perform a duty, which act or omission either:
First. Annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health, or safety of others; or
Second. Offends decency; or
Third. Unlawfully interferes with, obstructs or tends to obstruct, or renders dangerous for passage, any lake or navigable river, stream, canal or basin, or any public park, square, street or highway; or
Fourth. In any way renders other persons insecure in life, or in the use of property, provided, this section shall not apply to preexisting agricultural activities.
R.L.1910, § 4250; Laws 1980, c. 189, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 1980.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-16. Cities and towns - Power to define and summarily abate nuisances.

A. Cities and towns in this state shall have the right and power to determine what is and what shall constitute a nuisance within their respective corporate limits, and for the protection of the public health, the public parks and the public water supply, shall have such power outside of the corporate limits; and wherever it is practical so to do, the cities and towns shall have the power summarily to abate any such nuisance after notice to the owner, and an opportunity for him to be heard, if this can be given. Any action conducted by critical infrastructure sectors shall not constitute a nuisance when the applicable industry acts in compliance with or acts consistently with government rules, guidelines, laws and municipal ordinances or laws applicable to their sector.
B. For purposes of this section, "critical infrastructure sectors" means any of the critical infrastructure sectors identified by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) whose assets, systems and networks, whether physical or virtual, are considered so vital to the United States and the state that the sectors' incapacitation or destruction would have a debilitating effect on security, economic security, public health or safety or any combination thereof.
Added by Laws 1935, p. 131, § 1. Amended by Laws 2021, c. 425, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2021.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-17. Abatement by suit in district court.

In cases where it is deemed impractical summarily to abate any such nuisance such city or town may bring suit in the district court of the county in which such nuisance is located, and it is hereby made the duty of the governing body of any such city or town, by the adoption of a resolution to direct the bringing of suit in the proper court for the purpose of abating any such nuisance. The district court of the county in which any such nuisance exists or is maintained shall have jurisdiction of any such case and power to adjudge and determine any action brought under the provisions hereof, and where it is adjudged that any such nuisance exists or is maintained and should be abated, such court shall have the power and authority either by and through a commissioner appointed by such court, or otherwise, to cause such nuisance to be abated and to assess all the costs thereof, including the costs of suit, against the property on which such nuisance existed or is maintained, and to declare such costs a judgment against said property and order and direct the sale of said property for the purpose of satisfying said judgment and shall cause the same to be sold and proceeds thereof applied to the payment of the costs of abating any such nuisance.
Laws 1935, p. 131, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-20. Counties with population in excess of 550,000 - Power to declare and abate nuisances.

The board of county commissioners of any county in this state with a population in excess of five hundred fifty thousand (550,000) may declare what shall constitute a nuisance, and provide for the prevention, removal and abatement of nuisances for those properties acquired by the county through resale and any property located within an unincorporated area of the county.
Added by Laws 1992, c. 22, § 2, emerg. eff. March 30, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-21. Real property used for felony drug offenses.

The repeated use of any real property or structure thereon to commit acts which result in a felony conviction under the Oklahoma Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act may constitute a public nuisance.
Added by Laws 1998, c. 326, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1998. Amended by Laws 2008, c. 381, § 2, eff. July 1, 2008.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-41. Location of slaughterhouse.

It shall be unlawful for any person to maintain a slaughterhouse within less than one-half (1/2) mile of any tract of land platted into lots and blocks as an addition to any town or city within the State of Oklahoma, except in conformity with the zoning ordinances of said town or city, or to maintain such a slaughterhouse within one-half (1/2) mile of any tract of land platted into acre tracts for the purpose of being sold for residence, and in which tracts of land have actually been sold for residence purposes outside of such a town or city.
R.L.1910, § 4265; Laws 1975, c. 306, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-42. Cemeteries.

It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or association to lay out, establish, or use for burial purposes any cemetery, graveyard or burial grounds less than three-fourths (3/4) of one (1) mile from the incorporated line of any city of more than five thousand (5,000) inhabitants within this state, or within four (4) miles from the incorporated line of any city of this state, having a population of more than sixty-five thousand (65,000) inhabitants, and then within three-fourths (3/4) of one (1) mile from any tract of land plotted into lots or blocks, or otherwise subdivided for residence purposes, wherein lots, tracts, or blocks have been sold in good faith for residence purposes prior to the time of the location, opening, or use for such burial ground, graveyard or cemetery. Provided, that where cemeteries, graveyards or burial grounds have heretofore been used and maintained within less than three-fourths (3/4) of one (1) mile from the incorporated line of any city of more than five thousand (5,000) inhabitants within this state, or not less than four (4) miles from the incorporated line of any city of this state, having a population of more than sixty-five thousand (65,000) inhabitants, and not less than three-fourths (3/4) of one (1) mile from any tract of land plotted into lots or blocks, or otherwise subdivided for residence purposes, wherein lots, tracts or blocks have been sold in good faith for residence purposes, and additional lands are required for cemetery purposes, any person owning lands adjacent, may lay out and use, or sell the same to such cemetery to be used as an addition to such cemetery, and the use of such additional lands for such purposes shall not be prohibited hereby. Provided, however, that the provisions of this act shall not apply to the laying out, establishing, or using for burial purposes any cemetery, graveyard or burial ground in cities containing a population over three hundred thousand (300,000), according to the preceding Federal Decennial Census, whenever authority for such construction and operation has been obtained from a governmental planning commission having jurisdiction over zoning and building regulations covering the area wherein such cemetery, or burial ground is proposed to be located.
R.L.1910, § 4266; Laws 1919, c. 144, p. 206, § 1; Laws 1923, c. 171, p. 274, § 1; Laws 1963, p. 763, H.J.R.No.554, § 1, emerg. eff. June 14, 1963.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-42.1. Authority of municipal governing bodies to permit burial locations.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 42 of Title 50 of the Oklahoma Statutes, governing boards of any incorporated municipality shall be authorized to permit the burial of human remains or the relocation of human remains to a new burial place on the grounds of a public institution or private facility located within the municipal boundaries which the governing board deems appropriate. Provided, such burial ground shall not be used for commercial cemetery purposes nor shall the governing body permit burial sites on any private residential property.
Added by Laws 2014, c. 100, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2014.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 50. Nuisances › §50-43. Nuisance may be enjoined.

The maintaining of any slaughterhouse or location and use of any graveyard or cemetery in violation of the provisions of this article, is declared to be a nuisance, and any person owning real estate within any such addition to a town or city, or within lands so platted and set apart to be sold for residence purposes may maintain an action in the courts to abate such nuisance and to enjoin their continuance, and if it appears that they are being carried on in violation of this article, a perpetual injunction shall be granted against the parties maintaining such nuisance.
R.L.1910, § 4267.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-1. Beginning of term - Time of qualifying.

Except when otherwise specially provided, the regular term of all officers elected under the laws of the state, when elected to a full term, shall commence on the second Monday of January next succeeding their election, and any officer so elected shall qualify and enter upon the duties of his office on said date or within ten (10) days thereafter; but if the office to which any person is elected be vacant at the time of his election or becomes vacant before his time for qualifying, even if he were not elected to fill the vacancy, he shall forthwith qualify and enter upon the duties of his office.
R.L. 1910, § 4269.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-3.1. Failure to qualify - Filling vacancy - Temporary appointment in case of military service.

When any person elected to a public office has died or failed to qualify and enter upon the duties of such office for any reason or cause at the time and in the manner provided by law, and for six (6) months or more thereafter has not qualified and entered upon the duties of said office, such public office shall be deemed vacant and shall be filled by the officer or board authorized to fill such vacancy, provided, however, that any appointment made under the provisions of this section to fill an office of any person who has failed to qualify on account of military service shall be only for the period of enforced absence of said person, or until said person qualifies for said office. The person holding over in such office shall surrender the same to the person so appointed upon his qualifying for said office as provided by law. The provisions of this act shall be retroactive as well as prospective in its operation.
Added by Laws 1945, p. 154, § 1.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-5. Rights of parties in contest.

If there be a contest over the election, between a person holding an office, who was voted for at the polls for election, and some other competitor for the same office, the one shown by the election returns to have been elected, shall, after qualifying and giving bond as required by law, and on demand, be entitled to the possession of the office, and perform the duties pending the determination of the contest. When the contest is determined, the successful party shall, on qualifying and giving bond, and on demand, be entitled to the office. The salary shall, after the contest is determined, be paid to the rightful claimant of the office, and if paid in fees, the incumbent, if defeated in the contest, shall be liable therefor on his official bond to the rightful claimant. When the contest is determined adversely to the occupant of the office, or if the former officer was not voted for for re-election, or does not contest the election, then he shall at once, at the expiration of his term, and on demand, surrender the office to the successor elected, when he has qualified and given bond as required by law, and on his failure so to surrender the office he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction, shall be imprisoned in the county jail not less than thirty (30) days, nor more than six (6) months, and shall be liable to a fine of not less than Fifty Dollars ($50.00) nor more than Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00), and each and every week the officer so holds over shall be deemed a separate offense.
R.L. 1910, § 4273.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-8. Office vacant, when.

Every office shall become vacant on the happening of any one of the following events before the expiration of the term of such office:
First. The death of the incumbent or his resignation.
Second. His removal from office or failure to qualify as required by law.
Third. Whenever any final judgment shall be obtained against him for a breach of his official bond.
Fourth. Ceasing to be a resident of the state, county, township, city or town, or of any district thereof, in which the duties of his office are to be exercised or for which he may have been elected or appointed.
Fifth. Conviction in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction of any felony or any offense involving a violation of his official oath; provided, that no conviction, as a cause of vacation of office, shall be deemed complete so long as an appeal may be pending, or until final judgment is rendered thereon.
Sixth. Upon entering of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in a state or federal court of competent jurisdiction for any felony or any offense involving a violation of his official oath.
The fact by reason whereof the vacancy arises shall be determined by the authority authorized to fill such vacancy.
R.L. 1910, § 4276. Amended by Laws 1941, p. 211, § 1, emerg. eff. May 16, 1941; Laws 1957, p. 450, § 1, emerg. eff. June 1, 1957; Laws 1981, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 1, § 1, emerg. eff. Sept. 8, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-9. Resignations.

Resignations may be made as follows:
1. Of state officers, officers of districts of the state, and county commissioners, to the Governor.
2. Of members of the Legislature, to the presiding officers of their branches respectively, when in session, and when not in session, to the Governor; and when made to the presiding officer he shall at once notify the Governor thereof.
3. Of the officers of the Legislature, to the respective branches thereof.
4. Of elective county officers, by filing or depositing such resignation in writing in the office of the county clerk, except that of county clerk, which shall be filed or deposited with the board of county commissioners, which resignations, unless a different time is fixed therein, shall take effect upon such filing or deposit.
5. Of officers of districts of the county and officers of municipal townships, to the board of county commissioners.
6. Of officers holding their offices by appointment, to the body, board, court or officer that appointed them.
R.L. 1910, § 4277.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-11. Vacancy within thirty days of election.

If a vacancy occurs within thirty (30) days previous to an election day at which it may be filled, no appointment shall be made unless it be necessary to carry out said election and the canvass of the same according to law; in that case an appointment may be made at any time previous to said election to hold until after said election or until his successor is elected and qualified.
R.L. 1910, § 4279.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-12.1. Deceased officer's spouse - Eligibility for appointment.

If any officer of the state, district, county, city, town or other governmental subdivision of this state shall die while in office, and shall leave a surviving spouse, the said surviving spouse shall be eligible (if otherwise qualified) to be appointed to and to hold said office during the term for which the said officer was elected or appointed, regardless of the degree of relationship by either affinity or consanguinity to the appointing officer or to any member of the appointing board, commission, or other appointing authority, and it shall not be unlawful for any officer, board, commission, appointing authority, or member thereof to appoint or vote for the appointment of said surviving spouse to said office during said term, regardless of any such relationship.
Added by Laws 1953, p. 218, § 1. Amended by Laws 1975, c. 268, § 1, emerg. eff. June 5, 1975.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-18. Violating Sections 16 and 17 - Penalty.

Any officer violating any of the provisions of the two preceding sections, upon conviction, shall be imprisoned for any period not more than one (1) year, and fined in any sum not exceeding One Hundred Dollars ($100.00).
R.L. 1910, § 4285.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-19. Successor to receive records, etc.

Upon the death, resignation, suspension or removal from office of any officer, or upon the expiration of his term, all public monies, books, records, accounts, papers, documents and property of other kind in his hands or held by him by virtue of his office, shall be delivered to his successor.
R.L. 1910, § 4286.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-20. Books turned over to successor before salary paid.

No officer who receives, for the use of his office, the statutes, state reports, digests or other books, shall be entitled to receive a warrant for the payment of his salary for the last month of his term of service until he shall have filed with the person issuing such warrant a receipt from his successor in office, showing all of such books to be in said office.
R.L. 1910, § 4287.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-21. Oaths, officers authorized to administer.

The following officers are authorized to administer oaths:
1. Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals.
2. The Clerk of the Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.
3. Judges and clerks of the district, superior and county courts, and other courts of record within their respective districts or counties.
4. County clerks and their deputies, and county commissioners, within their respective counties.
5. Justices of the peace and notaries public within their respective counties.
6. Sheriffs and their deputies in cases where they are authorized by law to select commissioners or appraisers, or to impanel juries for the view or appraisement of property, or are directed as an official duty to have property appraised, or to take the answers of garnishees, or are authorized to take delivery bonds.
7. Such other officers as are authorized by law in special cases.
8. Clerks of boards of education, city auditor, city and town clerks.
9. Court clerks, deputy clerks, or violations bureau clerks as shall be appointed by judges of courts not of record.
R.L. 1910, § 4288. Amended by Laws 1963, c. 343, § 1, emerg. eff. June 24, 1963; Laws 1967, c. 156, § 1, emerg. eff. May 1, 1967.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24.3. Sale of real or personal property to state or political subdivision by certain persons prohibited.

No person, firm or corporation who is convicted of or pleads guilty to a felony involving fraud, bribery, corruption or sales to the state or to any of its political subdivisions may make sale of real or personal property to the state or any political subdivision thereof.
Added by Laws 1981, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 1, § 2, emerg. eff. Sept. 8, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24.4. Directives interpreting county purchasing procedure to be issued.

Prior to November 1, 1981, the State Auditor and Inspector shall issue written directives to all county clerks specifying the State Auditor and Inspector's interpretation of county purchasing procedures contained in the Oklahoma Statutes. These directives shall be updated at such times as the State Auditor and Inspector deems necessary. Such directives shall be advisory only.
Added by Laws 1981, 1st Ex. Sess., c. 1, § 6, emerg. eff. Sept. 8, 1981.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.1. Short title.

Section 24A.1 et seq. of this title shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Open Records Act".
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1988, c. 68, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 1988; Laws 1988, c. 187, § 1, emerg. eff. June 6, 1988; Laws 1996, c. 247, § 41, eff. July 1, 1996; Laws 1997, c. 2, § 10, emerg. eff. Feb. 26, 1997.
NOTE: Laws 1996, c. 209, § 1 repealed by Laws 1997, c. 2, § 26, emerg. eff. Feb. 26, 1997.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.2. Public policy - Purpose of act.

As the Oklahoma Constitution recognizes and guarantees, all political power is inherent in the people. Thus, it is the public policy of the State of Oklahoma that the people are vested with the inherent right to know and be fully informed about their government. The Oklahoma Open Records Act shall not create, directly or indirectly, any rights of privacy or any remedies for violation of any rights of privacy; nor shall the Oklahoma Open Records Act, except as specifically set forth in the Oklahoma Open Records Act, establish any procedures for protecting any person from release of information contained in public records. The purpose of this act is to ensure and facilitate the public's right of access to and review of government records so they may efficiently and intelligently exercise their inherent political power. The privacy interests of individuals are adequately protected in the specific exceptions to the Oklahoma Open Records Act or in the statutes which authorize, create or require the records. Except where specific state or federal statutes create a confidential privilege, persons who submit information to public bodies have no right to keep this information from public access nor reasonable expectation that this information will be kept from public access; provided, the person, agency or political subdivision shall at all times bear the burden of establishing such records are protected by such a confidential privilege. Except as may be required by other statutes, public bodies do not need to follow any procedures for providing access to public records except those specifically required by the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1988, c. 187, § 2, emerg. eff. June 6, 1988.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.4. Record of receipts and expenditures.

In addition to other records which are kept or maintained, every public body and public official has a specific duty to keep and maintain complete records of the receipt and expenditure of any public funds reflecting all financial and business transactions relating thereto, except that such records may be disposed of as provided by law.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 4, eff. Nov. 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.6. Public body maintaining less than 30 hours of regular business per week - Inspection, copying or mechanical reproduction of records.

A. If a public body or its office does not have regular business hours of at least thirty (30) hours a week, the public body shall post and maintain a written notice at its principal office and with the county clerk where the public body is located which notice shall:
1. Designate the days of the week when records are available for inspection, copying or mechanical reproduction;
2. Set forth the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the individual in charge of the records; and
3. Describe in detail the procedures for obtaining access to the records at least two days of the week, excluding Sunday.
B. The person requesting the record and the person authorized to release the records of the public body may agree to inspection, copying, or mechanical reproduction on a day and at a time other than that designated in the notice.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 6, eff. Nov. 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.7. Personnel records - Confidentiality - Inspection and copying.

A. At the sole discretion of the public body, a public body may keep personnel records confidential:
1. Which relate to internal personnel investigations including examination and selection material for employment, hiring, appointment, promotion, demotion, discipline or resignation; or
2. Where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy such as employee evaluations, payroll deductions, employment applications submitted by persons not hired by the public body and transcripts from institutions of higher education maintained in the personnel files of certified public school employees; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt from disclosure the degree obtained and the curriculum on the transcripts of certified public school employees.
B. All personnel records not specifically falling within the exceptions provided in subsection A or D of this section shall be available for public inspection and copying including, but not limited to, records of:
1. An employment application of a person who becomes a public official;
2. The gross receipts of public funds;
3. The dates of employment, title or position; and
4. Any final disciplinary action resulting in loss of pay, suspension, demotion of position or termination.
C. Except as may otherwise be made confidential by statute, an employee of a public body shall have a right of access to his own personnel file.
D. The home addresses, home telephone numbers, Social Security numbers, private email addresses, and private mobile phone numbers of current and former public employees shall not be open to public inspection or disclosure; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be construed to exempt from disclosure public records created using a private email address or private mobile phone.
E. Except as otherwise required by Section 6-101.16 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, public bodies shall keep confidential all records created pursuant to the Oklahoma Teacher and Leader Effectiveness Evaluation System (TLE) which identify a current or former public employee and contain any evaluation, observation or other TLE record of such employee.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 257, § 6, emerg. eff. May 23, 1990; Laws 1994, c. 177, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1994; Laws 2005, c. 116, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2005; Laws 2014, c. 130, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2014; Laws 2021, c. 382, § 1, emerg. eff. May 3, 2021; Laws 2022, c. 307, § 2.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.9. Personal notes and personally created material - Confidentiality.

Prior to taking action, including making a recommendation or issuing a report, a public official may keep confidential his or her personal notes and personally created materials other than departmental budget requests of a public body prepared as an aid to memory or research leading to the adoption of a public policy or the implementation of a public project.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 9, eff. Nov. 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.10a. Oklahoma Medical Center - Market research and marketing plans - Confidentiality.

The Oklahoma Medical Center may keep confidential market research conducted by and marketing plans developed by the Oklahoma Medical Center if the Center determines that disclosure of such research or plans would give an unfair advantage to competitors of the Oklahoma Medical Center regarding marketing research and planning, public education, and advertising and promotion of special and general services provided by the Oklahoma Medical Center.
Added by Laws 1988, c. 266, § 22, operative July 1, 1988.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.11. Library, archive or museum materials - Confidentiality.

A. A public body may keep confidential library, archive, or museum materials donated to the public body to the extent of any limitations imposed as a condition of the donation and any information which would reveal the identity of an individual who lawfully makes a donation to or on behalf of a public body including, but not limited to, donations made through a foundation operated in compliance with Sections 5-145 and 4306 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
B. If library, archive, or museum materials are donated to a public body and the donation may be claimed as a tax deduction, the public body may keep confidential any information required as a condition of the donation except the date of the donation, the appraised value claimed for the donation, and a general description of the materials donated and their quantity.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 11, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1992, c. 231, § 3, emerg. eff. May 19, 1992.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.12. Litigation files and investigatory files of Attorney General, district or municipal attorney - Confidentiality.

Except as otherwise provided by state or local law, the Attorney General of the State of Oklahoma and agency attorneys authorized by law, the Workers' Compensation Commission, the office of the district attorney of any county of the state, and the office of the municipal attorney of any municipality may keep its litigation files and investigatory reports confidential.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 12, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1988, c. 187, § 6, emerg. eff. June 6, 1988; Laws 2021, c. 583, § 1, emerg. eff. May 28, 2021.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.14. Personal communications relating to exercise of constitutional rights - Confidentiality.

Except for the fact that a communication has been received and that it is or is not a complaint, a public official may keep confidential personal communications received by the public official from a person exercising rights secured by the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma or the Constitution of the United States. The public official's written response to this personal communication may be kept confidential only to the extent necessary to protect the identity of the person exercising the right.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 14, eff. Nov. 1, 1985.
2023 Oklahoma Statutes › Title 51. Officers › §51-24A.15. Crop and livestock reports - Public warehouse financial statements - Confidentiality.

A. The Division of Agricultural Statistics, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, also known as the Oklahoma Crop and Livestock Reporting Service, may keep confidential crop and livestock reports provided by farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses to the extent the reports individually identify the providers.
B. The State Board of Agriculture is authorized to provide for the confidentiality of any financial statement filed pursuant to Section 9-22 of Title 2 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Copies of such financial statements may only be obtained upon written request to the Commissioner of Agriculture.
Upon good cause shown, and at the discretion of the Commissioner of Agriculture, such financial statements may be released.
Added by Laws 1985, c. 355, § 15, eff. Nov. 1, 1985. Amended by Laws 1988, c. 259, § 14, emerg. eff. June 29, 1988.