J. Kevin Stitt FILED

Of?ce of the Governor AN 2 t, 2019
State of Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA SECRETARY
OF STATE
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

EXECUTIVE ORDER 2019-2

 

Upon taking of?ce, I directed my staff to begin examining the frequency with which state
agencies, boards, and commissions hire outside lobbyists to lobby the State?s legislators on their
behalf and the costs incurred as a result of such lobbying. While my of?ce has been able to identify
numerous agencies, boards, and commissions that use outside lobbyists, the data related to the
costs incurred with respect to such lobbying is virtually impossible to identify.

Certainly, there is a role to be played in governmental affairs for persons to lobby
legislators on behalf of various interest groups. The Oklahoma Statutes recognize this role in
regulating the conduct of lobbyists in Title 74 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Chapter 62 Appendix 1,
Rule 5. However, as Governor of the State Oklahoma with ?Supreme Executive power? to manage
the Executive Branch of the government, as provided for in Section 2 of Article VI of the
Oklahoma Constitution, 1 have determined that it is not a proper use of state funds for any state
agency, board, or commission to expend taxpayers? money on the hiring of outside lobbyists to
lobby the State?s legislators on behalf of any state agency, board, or commission.

As a result, therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma, by the authority
vested in me pursuant to Sections 1 and 2 of Article VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, hereby
direct all ?state agencies,? as de?ned by 61 0.8. as follows:

1. On or before March 29, 2019, provide a report to the Of?ce of the Governor with
the following information:

a. The name or names of any ?Legislative Lobbyist,? ?Executive Lobbyist,?
or ?Lobbyist Principal,? (collectively referred to as ?Lobbyists?) retained
by your agency for the purpose of engaging in ?Legislative Lobbying? or
?Executive Lobbying? (collectively referred to as ?Lobbying?), as such
capitalized terms are de?ned in 74 OS. Chapter 62, Appendix 1, Rule 5.2,
in Fiscal Year 2019 2019?).

b. The total amount of funds expended by your agency to any and all
Lobbyist(s) identi?ed in paragraph 1(a) above in FY 2019 and the total
amount anticipated to be expended by your agency through the duration of
FY 2019.

c. The name or names of any and all Lobbyist(s) retained by your agency for
the purpose of Lobbying during Fiscal Years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018.

STATE CAPITOL BUILDING 0 2300 N. LINCOLN BOULEVARD, SUITE 100 0 OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA 73105 0 (405) 521-2342 0 (405) 521-3353

 



d. The total amount of ?mds expended by your agency to any and all
Lobbyist(s) identi?ed in paragraph 1(c) above during Fiscal Years 2015,
2016, 2017, and 2018.

e. A description of the process your agency used to award any and all
contract(s) to any and all Lobbyist(s) identi?ed in paragraphs 1(a) and 1(c)
above.

2. On or before March 29, 2019, provide copies to the Of?ce of the Governor of any
and all contracts between your agency and any and all Lobbyist(s) identi?ed in
paragraphs 1(a) and 1(0) above.

3. For the duration of FY 2019, all state agencies are hereby prohibited from entering
into any new, or renewing any existing, contract or any other agreement with a
Lobbyist for the purpose of Lobbying without ?rst securing the express, written
approval of the appropriate Cabinet Secretary.

Copies of this Executive Order shall be distributed to the chief executives of every State
agency, board, and commission for immediate implementation. Copies of this Executive Order
shall also be distributed to each Cabinet Secretary.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of
Oklahoma to be af?xed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, this 24th day of January, 2019

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. KEVIN STITT

ATTESTMICHAEL