OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A recently issued executive order by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin grants the state attorney general's office more authority over state boards that regulate some industries.
The order issued Friday is an attempt to stave off potential antitrust lawsuits.
Under the new order, state boards that consist mostly of members of the professions they regulate are required to submit "all proposed licensure or prohibition actions" to the attorney general for review and written analysis regarding potential legal violations.
Examples of state boards that would be required to submit to the review process include the Oklahoma Board of Dentistry.
The attorney general's office already provides legal counsel to most state boards. But the order will formalize the process of reviewing board actions that could have anti-competitive ramifications.