SB 1277 Oklahoma Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Employment benefits; modifying conditions for disqualification; specifying work search actions. Effective date.

SB 1277 modifies Oklahoma's unemployment benefits rules by requiring job seekers to complete five specific work search activities each week to maintain eligibility. It lists 15 acceptable actions, such as submitting resumes, attending job fairs, completing online job search workshops, or developing a resume in the state's employment system. The bill replaces vague prior requirements with clear, actionable steps for recipients to prove they are actively seeking work. It does not change benefit amounts but affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in Oklahoma. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 12, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Substitute Floor (House) · 2 edits
MINOR
The bill text was reformatted to reflect its progression from a Committee Substitute to the House Floor version, adding a 'House of Representatives' header and updating the title to 'Engrossed Senate Bill'. Substantive policy content regarding employment disqualification rules and work search requirements remained unchanged.
TECHNICAL

The document header and title were updated to indicate the bill has passed the Senate and is now in the House of Representatives for final consideration.

The page footer text was updated to reflect the new 'House Floor Version' status, while the legal text of the act itself was not altered.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House May 5, 2026

How they voted

480
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 50
Mar 9, 2026
D Democratic9
9 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican41
39 Yea 2
95% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
6
May 12, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 05/11/2026
upper
May 5, 2026
Committee
Referred for enrollment
upper
May 5, 2026
Lower · Passed
Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 81 Nays: 5
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
CR; Do Pass Commerce and Economic Development Oversight Committee
lower
Apr 7, 2026
Lower · Passed
Policy recommendation to the Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee; Do Pass Business
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Committee
Referred to Business
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Introduced
First Reading
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Upper · Passed
Engrossed to House
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Committee
Referred for engrossment
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Measure passed: Ayes: 46 Nays: 0
upper
Feb 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Business and Insurance committee; CR filed
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
First Reading
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors