HB 2899 modifies Oklahoma's teledentistry rules, requiring dentists to hold an Oklahoma license for online consultations with in-state patients and mandating proper record-keeping. It also expands the Oklahoma Dental Loan Repayment Program to increase dental access in underserved areas, offering up to $60,000 annually for five years to eligible dentists. Participants must provide dental care to at least 30% Medicaid patients or work in designated shortage areas (except pediatric specialists or FQHC providers), with faculty members required to teach at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry. The program targets new dental graduates with financial need who agree to serve Medicaid patients or rural/underserved communities, with penalties for failing service obligations. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 112 extends the validity period of Oklahoma plumbing licenses from one year to three years, with licenses expiring on the last day of the licensee's birth month. It allows renewal within 30 days before or after the expiration date (with additional fees for late renewal beyond that window) and requires continuing education for journeyman and contractor license renewals. The bill also provides a one-year grace period for military service members to renew licenses without penalty, if applied for within one year of discharge. These changes take effect on November 1, 2025.
SB 835 requires Oklahoma state licensing boards (called "qualifying boards") with majority market participants to submit proposed actions likely to harm competition - such as license suspensions, revocations, or decisions based on competitor complaints - to the Secretary of State for review. The Secretary must confirm if the action enforces a clear state policy within 60 days, and the board must follow their recommendation or face member removal for misconduct. Actions without anticompetitive effects - like consented decisions, criminal convictions, mandatory statute implementations, or fines - do not require review. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1593 prevents prosecutors from disqualifying peace officers as witnesses solely based on unproven misconduct allegations. It allows officers subject to a "Do Not Call" credibility listing to dispute the claim by filing a petition with the Attorney General's Office, triggering an administrative hearing before a judge. The hearing determines if misconduct allegations are proven; if not, the officer is cleared, and courts must consider the judge's findings. This directly affects peace officers, prosecutors, and courts in Oklahoma criminal proceedings, ensuring credibility disputes are resolved through a formal process before testimony is barred.
This bill requires parties in civil lawsuits to disclose commercial litigation funding agreements when requested, but prohibits using this information as evidence at trial. It mandates certification about whether foreign governments or entities funded the case, including specific details if foreign state funding is involved. Consumer litigation funding agreements are exempt from these requirements. The bill directly affects any party using commercial litigation funding in Oklahoma civil cases.
HB 1662 requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to submit an annual report detailing all activities involving the Southwest Power Pool. The report must include specific details on trips taken, meetings held, and votes cast by Commission representatives related to this energy organization during the previous calendar year. It must be submitted by January 31 each year to the House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tempore. This bill directly affects the Corporation Commission’s reporting obligations and increases transparency around energy policy interactions. The report covers all Commission actions with the Southwest Power Pool, including costs, locations, and discussion topics.
SB 39 modifies Oklahoma law to clarify that medical marijuana license holders may carry firearms while under the influence of medical marijuana, but only if the effects do not impair mental, emotional, or physical processes to the point of causing abnormal behavior. The bill also adds a new disqualifier for handgun license eligibility: a conviction for illegal drug use or possession, which must be considered under existing rules. These changes update the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and related statutes to distinguish between medical marijuana use and illegal drug offenses in firearm possession rules.
HB 2801 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to approve prior authorization for non-preferred atypical antipsychotic drugs when treating mood disorders, schizophrenia, or related conditions. It mandates coverage if a patient has either failed a trial of a preferred drug in the past year or is stable on a non-preferred medication. The bill ensures these medications are available at the same level as other branded drugs in their class. This directly affects Medicaid patients needing these treatments and their healthcare providers, who must submit claims or provider attestation for approval. The policy change takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 740 updates key definitions in Oklahoma's mental health law to modernize terminology and clarify scope. It replaces outdated terms like "insane" and "mental disease" with "mental illness" throughout the law, and revises definitions for "facility" (excluding child guidance centers), "indigent person," and "person requiring treatment." The bill directly affects mental health providers, facilities, and individuals receiving care under Oklahoma's mental health statutes by standardizing language used in legal documents and treatment protocols. These changes aim to improve clarity in implementing existing mental health services and legal processes without creating new programs or funding.
HB 2418 creates a new alternative teaching certification for individuals with relevant degrees or work experience (e.g., bachelor's degree with 2.5 GPA, terminal degrees, or field experience), requiring them to earn standard certification within three years. It establishes "adjunct teachers" who need "distinguished qualifications" in their field but do not require standard certification, and clarifies they are not considered "teachers" under certain statutes. The State Department of Education must collaborate with the Career and Technology Education Board to implement these rules, including credentialing. This directly affects prospective teachers, career tech programs, and public school districts hiring in math, science, and foreign language fields.
SB 990 establishes procedures for recalling statewide elected officials in Oklahoma, directly affecting positions like governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general (excluding those subject to impeachment). It allows the legislature to initiate a recall by passing a joint resolution approved by both chambers, bypassing gubernatorial veto, and setting a specific election date. The ballot would ask voters to approve removing the official, with removal taking effect if a majority votes "yes," followed by a governor-appointed replacement for the remaining term. The bill specifies election timing, ballot wording, and contest procedures, effective November 1, 2025.
SB 568 requires Oklahoma state entities managing public funds (like pension plans) to vote all shares solely based on financial benefit to plan participants and beneficiaries. It prohibits investment managers or government entities from following proxy adviser recommendations unless those advisers commit in writing to follow only financial guidelines. The bill also mandates annual reports of all proxy votes to the State Treasurer, including vote details and adviser recommendations, to be posted publicly. These changes apply to all state agency investments holding shares for public funds.
