Advisory Opinions

The Commission may issue official advisory opinions interpreting these Rules as provided by Article XXIX, Section 5 of the Constitution of the State of Oklahoma and as requested by specific individuals.

• The Commission shall provide notice of at least thirty (30) days of a hearing on an advisory opinion.  
• At least five (5) days before the hearing, comments and/or draft advisory opinions by Commission employees shall be made available to the public for comment.  
• The Commission shall accept both written and oral comments about the draft advisory opinions and/or comments.  
• Official advisory opinions shall be binding on the Commission.  
• Failure of an individual to request an advisory opinion shall have no relevance in any subsequent proceeding involving that individual.  

The Commission shall not consider an advisory opinion on an issue that is pending before a court of law or before another agency of the State of Oklahoma.  Any person with knowledge of such pending matter shall disclose such pending matter to the Commission.

Advisory Opinions Issued by Commission

Advisory Opinion 2018-01(Cite as: 2018 OK Ethics01) - Lobbyist Rules application to certain gifts.

Advisory Opinion 2017-02(Cite as: 2017 OK Ethics02) - Campaign Finance Rules as applied to disclosure on reusable campaign.

Advisory Opinion 2017-01(Cite as: 2017 OK Ethics01) - Conflicts of Interest as applied to purchases of State Bonds by Members of the Council of Bond Oversight.

Advisory Opinion 2015-01 (Cite as: 2015 OK Ethics01) - Campaign Finance Rules as applied to radio show host. 

Advisory Opinion Requests

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2017-03, request from Paul Sherman, Senior Attorney, Institute for Justice (Opinion issued as 2018-01)

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2017-02, request from Sharon Caldwell, CMA Strategies (Opinion issued as 2017-02)

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2017-01, request from James Joseph, Oklahoma State Bond Advisor (Opinion issued as 2017-01)

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2016-01, request from Pam Pollard, Chairman, Oklahoma Republican Party (No Opinion Issued)

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2015-01, request from Scott Fetgatter, candidate (Opinion issued as 2015-01)

Staff Memoranda

SM 2015-06 - Tickets to entertainment events

SM 2015-05 - Meal to spouses or family of a legislator

SM 2015-04 - Purchases directly by a lobbyist principal

SM 2015-03 - Lobbyist principal professional organizations

SM 2015-02 - Gifts to the State

SM 2015-01 - Tickets to receptions, etc. provided by lobbyists

SM 2017-04 - Generally One Candidate Committee at a Time

SM 2017-03 - Infrequently Occurring Occasions

SM 2017-02 - Consulting Expenses

SM 2017-01 - State Employee Advocating Legislation