Administrative Procedures Act; establishing guidelines for interpretation of statutes or administrative rules. Effective date.

SB 639 requires Oklahoma courts and administrative hearing officers to independently interpret state statutes, agency rules, and related documents without deferring to an agency's prior interpretation. It mandates that courts re-examine the meaning of laws from scratch ("de novo") and, when ambiguity remains, favor interpretations that limit agency authority and protect individual rights. This bill directly affects state agencies, courts, and individuals involved in legal disputes with agencies over rule enforcement. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025.