Upon taking office, 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 office 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, I 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 defined by 61 O.S. § 327(A), as follows: 1. On or before March 29, 2019, provide a report to the Office 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 defined in 74 O.S. Chapter 62, Appendix I, Rule 5.2, in Fiscal Year 2019 ("FY 2019"). b. The total amount of funds expended by your agency to any and all Lobbyist(s) identified 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. d. The total amount of funds expended by your agency to any and all Lobbyist(s) identified 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) identified in paragraphs 1(a) and 1(c) above. 2. On or before March 29, 2019, provide copies to the Office of the Governor of any and all contracts between your agency and any and all Lobbyist(s) identified in paragraphs 1(a) and 1(c) 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. 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 supplied to each Cabinet Secretary. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma this 24th day of January, 2019 BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA J. Kevin Stitt Michael Rogers Secretary of State
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