Oklahoma Ethics Commission

Abstract

The Oklahoma Ethics Commission is a constitutionally established body whose five commissioners and seven staff are charged with duties in two broad areas. The Commission is authorized, first, to develop and enforce ethics rules in state elections, including both campaigns for elective office and campaigns on behalf of initiatives and referenda. Second, it is charged with promulgating rules of ethical conduct for state officers and employees. The current Ethics Commission holds a significantly stronger position than its predecessor agencies, in the sense that its authority is constitutional and not merely statutory. Its influence is felt quite directly by candidates for state office, and by proponents of state questions, who must all pay close attention to the extensive contribution and expenditure reporting that the Commission requires. Those who fail to comply can be subject to significant fines. Officeholders and state employees, too, cannot avoid its reach because they must now regularly submit documents disclosing their financial interests. Finally, those who lobby the legislature and the agencies are also subject to regular registration and disclosure requirements.