SB 1450 Oklahoma Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Criminal court costs and fees; requiring waiver of certain costs and fees upon completion of certain requirements. Effective date.

SB 1450 allows Oklahoma courts to waive criminal court fines, costs, and fees for eligible individuals who meet specific payment and compliance requirements. It creates two pathways: (1) waiving costs after 24 months of timely monthly payments following release from prison, or (2) waiving costs after 48 months of timely payments within the prior 60 months, both requiring full probation/supervision compliance. The bill excludes restitution to victims and child support from waiver eligibility, and requires individuals released from prison to report to courts 180 days post-release to address outstanding debts. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Apr 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed → Floor (Senate) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated from the 'Engrossed' version to the 'Senate Floor' version, incorporating specific amendments made by the Senate Committee. These changes include formatting adjustments to the header and page numbers, as well as substantive modifications to the rules for waiving court costs and determining a person's ability to pay fines. The most significant policy change is the addition of a requirement for the Court of Criminal Appeals to promulgate specific rules regarding reporting, hearings, and payment consolidation, which was present in the original text but removed in this version.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding the administration of fines and fees was modified by removing a specific mandate for the Court of Criminal Appeals to create rules for consolidating fines and reporting requirements, while retaining the core authority for courts to waive fees based on ability to pay.

REQUIREMENT

A provision requiring the Court of Criminal Appeals to create rules for consolidating fines across courts and standardizing reporting requirements was deleted.

TECHNICAL

The document header was changed to reflect the 'Senate Floor Version' date and added a note indicating that bold text denotes committee amendments.

Page numbers and footer text were updated to reflect the new Senate Floor version status.

Introduced → Engrossed · 7 edits · Mar 23, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was transitioned from its 'Introduced' draft to its 'Engrossed' version, which incorporates significant substantive policy changes. The most critical addition is a new provision in Section 983b requiring courts to reduce fines and fees for indigent defendants who cannot pay them, rather than just waiving them. Additionally, the bill now explicitly requires courts to enter a formal court order for any waiver to take effect, ensuring the process is documented. The text also includes new language allowing courts to consolidate fines across different courts and promulgate specific rules for handling these cases.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include mandatory fee reductions for those unable to pay, moving beyond just waivers for those who have completed specific rehabilitation milestones. It also added procedural requirements for courts to formalize waivers through written orders.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new subsection (E) to Section 983a requiring that any waiver of fines or fees must only become effective upon the entry of a formal court order.

Added a new subsection (E) to Section 983b requiring the Court of Criminal Appeals to create specific rules governing reporting, hearings, and payment processes for indigent defendants.

Added new language to Section 983b allowing courts to reduce fines and fees if a defendant lacks the ability to pay, with the reduction applied equally across all owed amounts.

Added a new subsection (C) to Section 983b allowing courts to waive all outstanding fines for anyone meeting the eligibility criteria set in Section 983a.

Added new language to Section 983b prohibiting the requirement for defendants to pay outstanding fines before a 180-day reporting period expires.

Modified Section 983b to clarify that courts must consider all court-ordered debts, including restitution and child support, when determining a defendant's ability to pay.

TECHNICAL

The document header was updated from 'AS INTRODUCED' to 'ENGROSSED SENATE BILL', indicating the bill has passed its initial reading and incorporated amendments.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2026

How they voted

47–0

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 50

Mar 17, 2026

D Democratic9

8 Yea 1

88% Yea

R Republican41

39 Yea 2

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Criminal Judiciary

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to Criminal Judiciary

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

lower

Mar 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Engrossed to House

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Committee

Referred for engrossment

upper

Mar 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Measure passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 0

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass as amended Judiciary committee; CR filed

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Committee

Referred to Judiciary

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors