HB 2233 amends Oklahoma's Massage Therapy Practice Act to clarify scope of practice and governance. It establishes the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (replacing the previous cosmetology board) as the overseeing body, allows the public direct access to licensed massage therapists without medical referrals, and explicitly prohibits therapists from diagnosing illness, using ultrasound, breaking skin, or prescribing medicine. The bill also creates an Advisory Board on Massage Therapy appointed by the governor and clarifies that licensed physicians or healthcare providers can offer massage within their existing scope without needing additional massage licensure. These changes directly affect licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and healthcare providers in Oklahoma.
HB 1111 simplifies SNAP eligibility and increases benefits for elderly or disabled Oklahomans with no earned income. It creates a streamlined process allowing qualifying individuals (60+ or disabled, with all household members meeting these criteria) to use shorter forms, waive recertification, and maintain benefits for 36 months after approval. The bill also establishes a new standard medical deduction of at least $100 for households with verified medical expenses like prescriptions or doctor visits. These changes take effect November 1, 2025, and apply to all new applications and renewals filed after that date.
HB 2747 modifies Oklahoma's utility rate regulations to allow electric utilities to recover specific costs through periodic rate adjustments. It presumes recoverability for transmission upgrades (including wind-related projects) and costs tied to federal environmental laws (like the Clean Air Act), unless proven otherwise. The bill also streamlines approval for new generation facilities, requiring the Corporation Commission to rule within 180-240 days after reviewing "reasonable alternatives," while allowing utilities to seek cost recovery for competitive bidding processes. Additionally, it permits the Commission to authorize cost assessments for staff/attorney reviews related to utility applications.
HB 1578 amends Oklahoma law to require notaries public to verify a person's identity before performing any notarial act, such as witnessing signatures or certifying documents. It specifies that notaries must confirm identity through personal knowledge, credible witnesses, or valid ID documents. Failure to make this verification results in a misdemeanor charge punishable by fines up to $5,000 or 30 days in jail. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, directly affecting all notaries performing official acts in Oklahoma.
HB 1934, the "Jamie Lea Pearl Act," creates tax-exempt status for nonprofit medical transportation providers in Oklahoma. It directly affects companies transporting patients for nonemergency medical needs (like dialysis or cancer treatment) using small vehicles (max 5,000 lbs weight, 5 passengers) at little or no cost. Key requirements include: mandatory commercial insurance ($100k per person), quarterly vehicle safety inspections, driver background checks (5-year records, drug tests), and prohibiting service denial based on disability or other protected characteristics. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission must issue rules within 60 days to implement these provisions.
HB 2026 expands an existing Oklahoma grant program to specifically fund aircraft engine testing development projects. The bill directly affects aerospace companies, research institutions, and manufacturers seeking state funding for advanced engine testing facilities or technology. Key provisions allow the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission to award grants for projects that develop or improve aircraft engine testing capabilities, with the program becoming effective immediately under an emergency designation. The change modifies the program's purpose without altering eligibility rules or funding amounts.
SB 484 prohibits Oklahoma municipalities with fewer than 300,000 residents (per the latest federal census) from providing homeless services, including owning or leasing land for homeless shelters. It requires such municipalities to immediately terminate any existing homeless programs or shelter services on the bill's effective date. The law defines "homeless person" and "homeless shelter" but focuses on restricting local government involvement in homeless services. It takes effect November 1, 2025, applying only to smaller municipalities. This is a policy restriction, not a funding or service expansion measure.
SB 1115 clarifies Oklahoma's public nuisance laws by explicitly stating that manufacturing, marketing, and selling lawful products cannot be considered a public nuisance. It requires courts to find that a defendant controlled the nuisance conditions before awarding liability in such cases, and limits private lawsuits to situations where a plaintiff proves the nuisance directly caused them special injury. The bill directly affects businesses selling legal goods and individuals seeking legal action over neighborhood issues. These changes aim to prevent lawsuits against lawful commercial activities while setting clearer standards for nuisance claims.
HB 1564, the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act, creates a streamlined court process for civil cases seeking $250,000 or less in monetary relief (excluding interest, damages, and fees). It limits discovery to 180 days, caps depositions at 20 hours total, and restricts written requests to 15 per type. The bill mandates trials within 90 days of discovery completion, allows up to 8 hours per side for trial proceedings (extendable to 12 hours for good cause), and requires alternative dispute resolution within 60 days if agreed upon. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies only to cases meeting the monetary threshold.
SB 640 modifies Oklahoma's medical marijuana licensing rules by relaxing distance requirements between retail dispensaries and places of worship. If a place of worship opens within 3,000 feet of an existing licensed dispensary (or grower), the dispensary retains its license without needing to comply with the standard distance rule, as long as it continues operating under its original purpose. The bill also clarifies that "place of worship" includes churches, temples, synagogues, and mosques used weekly for religious activities. This change applies only to existing licensed locations and does not affect new dispensaries or changes to a facility's original use.
SB 445 raises Oklahoma's age of consent from 16 to 18 years by amending rape statutes. It specifically prohibits sexual activity between school employees (18+) and students under 20, and between foster parents and minors under 19. The bill also updates the age gap rule for convictions, requiring perpetrators to be at least 5 years older than the victim (previously 4 years) for offenses involving those aged 14-18. This directly affects minors under 18 and adults in positions of authority over them, such as school staff, foster parents, and higher education employees.
HB 2053 clarifies definitions related to outdoor advertising along Oklahoma highways. It establishes specific distance rules: signs cannot be placed within 300 feet of residential buildings (without owner consent) or within 500 feet of schools, parks, churches, or historical sites in unzoned commercial areas. The bill directly affects outdoor advertising companies and property owners near highways in unzoned commercial zones, defining where signs may legally be located. These provisions apply to areas extending 600 feet from commercial/industrial activity along highways, with measurements based on building edges, not property lines. The bill passed unanimously in the House (90-0) and is now moving to the Senate.
