Gillespie Bill on Courtroom Transparency Clears Senate Judiciary Committee

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Christi Gillespie, R-Broken Arrow, advanced legislation on Tuesday to make court cases and judicial proceedings more transparent.

Senate Bill 1386 addresses a statewide court reporter shortage by modernizing Oklahoma’s court system. The bill would require the Oklahoma Supreme Court to launch a pilot program to introduce audio and video recording equipment into at least 12 courtrooms, giving preference to those that currently lack a court reporter. It also establishes a framework for the audio and video recording of court proceedings.

Gillespie said her bill would improve the accuracy of court records while also increasing public transparency of legal proceedings. She added that Oklahoma has around 72 vacant court reporter positions.

“In this day and age, many public meetings and events are recorded and livestreamed. Yet our courtrooms remain largely shielded from the public,” Gillespie said. “Senate Bill 1386 will bring greater transparency and accountability to the courtroom by ensuring there is an accurate and undisputable record of all proceedings. This legislation is a common-sense approach to modernizing our courts, and I firmly believe that making this change will grow the public’s trust in our judicial system.”

Gillespie’s bill builds on a law from 1997 that first encouraged the judicial system to utilize video equipment in courtrooms.

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed SB 1386 in a vote of 7-1. The bill is now eligible to be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee.

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For more information, contact: communications@oksenate.gov.