HB 3673 changes Oklahoma's renewal process for certain electrical licenses, specifically affecting electricians with expired Unlimited Journeyman or Residential Journeyman licenses that have been inactive for over one year. It allows these licenses to be renewed without retaking the exam, provided applicants pay fees for each expired year (including a $200 maximum penalty per year), complete required continuing education (including six extra hours per year of expiration), and provide proof of no disciplinary action or disqualifying criminal conviction. The bill repeals the current license renewal rule (Section 1688) and requires the Construction Industries Board to create implementing rules within 180 days. This change applies only to journeyman licenses, not contractor licenses, and takes effect on November 1, 2026.
HB 3581 amends the effective date of a bill that makes certain acts during riots unlawful. The amendment changes the original November 1, 2026, effective date to take effect immediately upon passage, citing an "emergency" for public peace and safety. This adjustment allows the law to apply without delay, directly affecting individuals who engage in specified conduct during civil disturbances. The bill itself focuses on defining and penalizing specific riot-related actions, though the amendment primarily addresses timing rather than altering the core prohibitions.
SB 2045 requires public elementary schools serving full-day pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to provide at least 30 minutes of daily recess as a condition of state accreditation. This applies to all students in those grades, with recess allowed to be split into segments and required to occur outdoors when weather and conditions permit. The bill removes previous recommendations about recess and instead mandates it as a distinct requirement separate from the existing 60-minute weekly physical education requirement. Schools must comply by July 1, 2026, or risk losing accreditation.
SB 2018 amends Oklahoma property tax law to establish a specific valuation method for large residential rental housing developments. It defines "residential rental housing" as properties with at least 60 rental units and prescribes how county assessors must value these properties for ad valorem tax purposes. The bill updates statutory definitions and requirements in Sections 2802 and 2817 of the Oklahoma Statutes, ensuring these properties are assessed using a method consistent with market value standards. This change directly affects county tax assessors and owners of large multi-unit rental properties across Oklahoma.
SB 1980 creates new criminal offenses related to gift cards and gift certificates in Oklahoma. It prohibits unauthorized acquisition or possession of gift cards (larceny), altering cards (forgery), fraudulently obtaining redemption information (fraud), and using stolen cards or information (theft), with penalties ranging from misdemeanor to grand larceny if $950+ is obtained within six months. The law directly affects cardholders (who receive gift cards) and issuers (businesses selling them), by making specific types of fraud punishable under existing Oklahoma criminal statutes. It defines key terms like "gift card" (including both single-merchant and network cards) and "redemption information" to clarify the scope of prohibited acts. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1916 creates a new division within Oklahoma's Insurance Department to manage supervisions, conservatorships, and receiverships of insurers. It requires all existing cases to transition to this division by January 1, 2028, and clarifies the Insurance Commissioner's authority to hire contractors, conduct audits, and handle related expenses. The bill updates definitions and procedures for insurer oversight, including rules about record confidentiality and the Commissioner's powers during financial distress. It directly affects the Insurance Department's operations and insurers under supervision or conservatorship. The changes aim to streamline administrative processes for handling troubled insurance companies.
SB 1651 amends Oklahoma's medical licensure laws for physicians and allied health professionals, affecting all licensed practitioners in the state. Key changes include establishing a new "special training license" for certain providers, creating "physician emeritus" status for retired doctors, prohibiting specific fees, and requiring national criminal background checks for all applicants. The bill also updates telemedicine authorization for respiratory care professionals, modifies application and renewal procedures, and removes outdated fee structures and language. These changes streamline licensing processes while adding new requirements for background screening and special practice categories.
HB 2979, the Talyn Bain Act, requires Oklahoma's Department of Transportation (ODOT) to establish 45 mph school zones on specific state highways when local jurisdictions (like school districts or municipalities) request them. This applies to highways meeting three conditions: having four or more lanes adjacent to a school, having a 65+ mph speed limit without special access features near a school, or being within 150 yards of school property. After establishment, the requesting local jurisdiction must cover all maintenance and operational costs for the zone signage and equipment. The reduced speed limit is enforced only when flashing beacons are active during school drop-off/pick-up times or additional approved hours.
SB 1810 requires Oklahoma human trafficking shelters and service programs to obtain certification from the Attorney General. It authorizes the Attorney General to enter agreements with service providers for victims and expands telephone communication services for victims. The bill also mandates confidentiality for victim information and updates definitions of human trafficking, including "coercion" and "debt bondage." These changes directly affect victims seeking services and the shelters/programs providing them, aiming to standardize and improve support systems.
SB 1876 requires foreign and alien insurance companies operating in Oklahoma to appoint a specific agent in the state to receive legal documents (like lawsuits). This agent must be either the Insurance Commissioner, a state resident, or another business authorized to operate in Oklahoma. The appointment must be permanent and cannot be canceled, and insurers must file the address where documents should be forwarded. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 2095 makes it illegal for anyone (including nonresidents) to guide, accompany, or assist in hunting or fishing for money or other compensation without written landowner permission. This directly affects professional guides and outfitters who operate without proper authorization. The bill creates misdemeanor penalties of up to $1,500 fines or 30 days in jail for first offenses, with harsher penalties for repeat violations, and automatically revokes hunting/fishing licenses for 1-10 years upon conviction. Exceptions include landowners, agricultural lessees, their employees, and individuals on licensed commercial hunting areas or feral hog facilities.
SB 1679, the "Preserving Oklahoma Values Act of 2026," declares court decisions based on foreign legal systems void if they conflict with defined "Judeo-Christian Western rights and values" (including due process, religious freedom, and marriage as defined by Oklahoma law). It also voids contracts allowing foreign law to govern disputes if that law does not uphold those values. The bill applies to state courts, administrative agencies, and private contracts, but excludes Native American tribal laws and religious organizations handling internal matters. It aims to prevent enforcement of rulings or agreements relying on legal systems deemed contrary to specified constitutional rights. The bill is labeled an emergency to take immediate effect upon approval.
