Drummond applauds veto overrides ensuring transparency, accountability in state government

GENTNER DRUMMOND

ATTORNEY GENERAL OF OKLAHOMA 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 29, 2025

Drummond applauds veto overrides ensuring transparency, accountability in state government

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 29, 2025) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond tonight praised the Oklahoma Legislature for overriding two of Gov. Stitt's vetoes aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability in government.

The Legislature overrode vetoes of House Bill 2164, which strengthens state bidding and purchasing requirements, mandates disclosure of business relationships in government contracts, requires ethics training for state officials and establishes penalties for violations. Lawmakers also overrode HB 2163, which establishes a Public Access Counselor Unit within the Office of the Attorney General to investigate and process complaints and requests related to denied access to public records controlled by public bodies. 

"Today is a great victory for transparency, accountability and good government in Oklahoma," said Drummond. "The Legislature has sent a clear message that it will not tolerate the Governor's obstruction of commonsense ethics and transparency reforms. When bills receive overwhelming bipartisan support, the Governor's vetoes were nothing more than attempts to protect a culture of secrecy and self-dealing that has plagued his administration. These measures represent a significant step forward in restoring public trust in state government.” 

HB 2164 takes effect Nov. 1, while HB 2163 takes effect immediately.

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