This bill names the "Waters and Water Rights Modernization Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It specifies that the act will not be codified into Oklahoma's official statutes. As a procedural measure, it establishes the act's name and implementation timeline without detailing substantive policy changes. The bill is in early legislative stages, having been introduced and referred to committee in February 2026.
HB 4350 establishes a five-year flexible groundwater allocation system for permit holders in Oklahoma's basins starting January 1, 2027. It allows existing and new groundwater permit holders to exceed their annual usage limits in individual years (by up to 200%) while requiring total usage over five years to stay within the basin's overall allocation. Permit holders must install approved meters, submit annual usage reports, and pay annual fees, but domestic wells are excluded. The bill aims to encourage conservation by providing flexible usage within cumulative basin limits. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.
HB 4098 exempts charitable organizations hosting fundraising events from paying permit and license fees to the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission. The bill amends state law to remove costs for "charity events" - defined as events hosted by charities to raise money for philanthropic purposes - while maintaining fees for all other professional combative sports, MMA, and kickboxing events. This applies to promoters and participants in sanctioned charity events, directly benefiting nonprofit groups organizing such activities. The exemption takes effect November 1, 2026, and does not affect fees for non-charity events.
This bill establishes the "Health Insurance Act of 2026" as a standalone law that will not be added to the Oklahoma Statutes. It directly affects health insurance regulations and providers in Oklahoma by creating a new legal framework for the 2026 legislative session. The key provision is simply naming the act and setting its effective date as November 1, 2026. This is a procedural measure that organizes how health insurance laws will be referenced and applied in the state.
This bill, known as the Oklahoma Civil Procedure Reform Act of 2026, establishes the name and citation for a future set of civil procedure reforms but does not currently contain any specific policy changes or operational provisions. The legislation only sets the effective date of November 1, 2026, and designates the act for noncodification in the Oklahoma Statutes. It does not directly affect individuals or businesses at this time, as it serves as a procedural framework for future reforms rather than implementing substantive changes to civil court processes.
HB 4347 changes Oklahoma's mechanics lien law to require the original contractor, not the property owner, to pay the owner's attorney fees and costs if a subcontractor places a lien on the property. This directly affects property owners who have paid the original contractor in full but face lien claims due to the contractor's failure to pay subcontractors. The bill amends Section 143 of the Oklahoma Statutes to mandate that the original contractor covers these fees when the owner paid the contractor as agreed but the contractor didn't pay the subcontractor. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4131 amends Oklahoma's statutes governing county commissioners' authority, specifically updating provisions related to employee education reimbursement. It establishes a program allowing counties to reimburse employees up to 100% of tuition costs for approved education courses (requiring at least a B average) or 75% for passing grades, with employees committing to one year of continued service. The bill does not create new social services funding but refines existing county budget authority for employee development. It explicitly prohibits elected officials from receiving safety-related awards and limits such awards to $250 annually per employee. This is a procedural amendment to county financial management rules, not a substantive change to social services programs.
HB 4286 prohibits Oklahoma insurance companies from using credit information or credit-based insurance scores to deny, cancel, nonrenew, or set rates for personal insurance policies (like auto or home insurance). This directly affects consumers who purchase personal insurance in Oklahoma, as insurers can no longer factor in credit history for these decisions. The bill also clarifies that insurers may still use their own payment history or claims records, and it amends fee-related sections to ensure transparency about charges like membership fees. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4492 amends Oklahoma law to clarify when state employees may use state-owned or leased vehicles for commuting or work-related travel beyond standard duties. It permits specific employees - such as emergency responders, law enforcement officers, wrecker inspectors, and certain field staff (e.g., Corporation Commission inspectors) - to use state vehicles for transportation between home and work or work locations, provided the distance does not exceed 75 miles round trip or results in agency cost savings. Written authorization is required for temporary use exceeding 60 days, with agencies like the Department of Public Safety needing to track such usage monthly. The bill maintains the core prohibition against personal vehicle use but expands exceptions for essential personnel performing critical duties.
HB 4451 is a procedural bill that names itself the "Oklahoma State Government Policy Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It contains no substantive policy provisions or changes to state government operations. The bill solely establishes its own title and effective date without affecting any specific programs, agencies, or individuals. This is a standard naming and effective date provision with no direct policy impact.
HB 4167 creates the "Oklahoma Criminal Procedure Act of 2026" as a non-codified reference document, naming it for future use. It has no substantive policy changes; it merely establishes this title for procedural purposes. The bill specifies that it becomes effective on November 1, 2026. This is a purely administrative step, not a law altering criminal procedure rules.
This bill, known as the Transportation Reform Act of 2026, establishes a new law title but does not include any specific policy changes or operational provisions. It only sets the effective date for the act as November 1, 2026, and specifies that the law will not be added to the Oklahoma Statutes. The legislation is currently in its early stages and has not yet been assigned to a committee for further review.
