Administrative Procedures Act; requiring certain statutes and rules to be interpreted in certain manner. Effective date.

SB 712 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act (75 O.S. 2021, Section 318) to require courts to interpret statutes and agency rules de novo - meaning courts must independently review the law without deferring to an agency's own interpretation. This change directly affects individuals, businesses, or organizations challenging agency decisions in court, as it shifts authority from agencies to judges in interpreting rules. The key provision (Section 318.A.4) eliminates judicial deference to agency interpretations during review proceedings. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not create new regulations but alters the judicial review process for administrative actions.