Advisory Opinions

On February 14, 2020, the Ethics Commission will conduct a public hearing and take public comments on Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2019-02 regarding cryptocurrency as contributions under Oklahoma law.

A copy of Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2019-02 may be obtained below by clicking the following link: Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2019-02. Draft Advisory Opinions will be available not later than 5 days prior to the hearing and will be posted beneath the link for Advisory Opinion Request AOR 2019-02. 

Written Comment: Members of the public may submit written comments on draft advisory opinion(s) via email to ethics@ethics.ok.gov, subject line “Public Comment for AOR-2019-02” or to the Ethics Commission offices at 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd, Room G-27, Oklahoma City, OK 73105.  All written comments must be received at the Commission email or in the offices of the Commission prior to 4:30 p.m. on February 13, 2020.

Public Comment during public hearing: Members of the public may also attend the Commission meeting and make public comment regarding the draft opinion(s) during the public hearing agenda item designated on the agenda for the February 14, 2020 meeting.  This meeting will occur at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 14, 2020, location to be determined due to ongoing restoration efforts at the state Capitol Building.

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 2019-01(Cite as: 2019 OK Ethics01) - Campaign Finance Rules regarding candidate committee mandatory dissolution

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-2019-02, request by Senator Nathan Dahm

• Comments, submitted by Commission staff on February 7, 2020 re. AOR-2019-02

Advisory Opinion Request AOR-2018-01, request by Stephanie Hoskin, Treasurer, Friends of Chuck Hoskins (Opinion issued as 2019-01)

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