OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla (KFOR) – The Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office alongside the Oklahoma Press Association (OPA) is set to host seminars on Oklahoma’s Open Meeting and Open Records laws in five locations across the state beginning late next month.

The seminars will be presented by Thomas R. Schneider, deputy general counsel to Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

“I am excited to meet with Oklahomans across the state and engage with them on two of the most important laws in the Oklahoma statutes,” Schneider said. “These laws safeguard democracy and preserve integrity in state and local government.”

Schneider will answer questions concerning the state’s open meeting and records laws and inform elected or appointed officials about their responsibility under the acts.

Schneider will also discuss requirements on access to public records and the conduct of public meetings.

“It is important to establish the standard of transparency to ensure our public officials are acting with honesty and integrity,” he said. “I am thankful for the hardworking individuals in my office who are also dedicated to these principles, and who work tirelessly to educate others about the Open Meeting and Open Records Acts across the state.”

Seminars will be held from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the following locations:

September 25    Lawton, Cameron University, 501 SW University Dr.

October 16        Tulsa, Tulsa Technology Center Riverside Campus, 801 E 91st St.

October 30        Enid, Autry Technology Center, 1201 W Willow Rd.

November 13    McAlester, Eastern Oklahoma State College, 1802 E College Ave.

December 11    Oklahoma City, Metro Tech Conference Center, 1900 Springlake Dr.

The seminars are free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required.