HB 1979 amends Oklahoma's Early Childhood Task Force membership rules. The bill replaces a specific university representative (previously from Oklahoma State University's Department of Human Development and Family Science) with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Services from OSU's College of Education and Human Sciences. This change affects the task force's composition, which advises the state on early childhood policy. The bill does not create new policies but adjusts who serves on the existing advisory group. It remains a procedural amendment focused on task force staffing, not new legislation.
SB 44 amends Oklahoma's sales tax law to extend existing tax exemptions to contractors and subcontractors working for tax-exempt entities, such as government agencies, schools, or nonprofits. It allows these contractors to use the exempt entity's documentation (like an exemption letter) to prove purchases made for a contract are tax-free, rather than requiring separate exemption paperwork. This change directly affects businesses that provide goods or services to exempt organizations under contract, simplifying their tax compliance. The bill updates statutory language to explicitly include contractors in the exemption rules, effective upon enactment.
HB 1409 amends Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act to require all public bodies (including state, county, municipal, and school district boards) to establish a free email distribution system for meeting notices. Public bodies must send 24-hour advance email notices containing meeting date, time, location, and agenda to subscribers, with individuals needing annual confirmation to stay on the list. This complements existing requirements for physical posting and website notices but adds a new digital notification method. The bill directly affects how public entities notify citizens about meetings, aiming to improve accessibility to meeting information.
HB 1082 modifies Oklahoma's child custody laws to prioritize joint custody arrangements when appropriate. It creates a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and equal parenting time are in a child's best interest, requiring parents to submit detailed joint custody plans covering living arrangements, child support, healthcare, and school placement. The bill strengthens protections for children and parents affected by child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, or harassment by establishing a rebuttable presumption against shared custody with perpetrators and making safety the primary factor in custody decisions. This law directly affects parents involved in Oklahoma custody disputes and courts handling such cases, effective November 1, 2025.
SB 1217 prohibits real estate brokers from requiring a written brokerage agreement before showing a property to potential buyers, renters, or lessees. This directly affects brokers and homebuyers/renters by removing a common pre-showing paperwork step. The bill adds new language to Oklahoma law stating brokers "shall not be required to enter into a written brokerage agreement prior to showing real estate," while allowing managing brokers to require such agreements for their own associates. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 2951 updates Oklahoma law governing the transfer of sentenced inmates from county facilities to state correctional centers. It requires sheriffs or detention centers to transport individuals sentenced to prison (not county jail) to specific state facilities like the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center or Mabel Bassett Correctional Center, along with required documents including court records, medical information, and presentence reports. The bill also establishes reimbursement for sheriffs' transport costs (capped at $30/hour) and mandates quarterly reporting to legislative committees. These changes directly affect county law enforcement agencies, inmates being transferred, and the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
SB 1314 increases the maximum balance of the Well Drillers and Pump Installers Remedial Action Indemnity Fund from $50,000 to $100,000 and raises the allowable expenditure per well or borehole from $10,000 to $25,000. This bill directly affects commercial well drillers and pump installers in Oklahoma, who pay annual fees that fund the account. The increased limits allow the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to cover more extensive remedial actions needed to protect groundwater from non-compliant or abandoned wells. The fund remains dedicated solely to groundwater protection, with no changes to licensing requirements or enforcement procedures.
SB 2112 establishes rules for designating county-maintained roads as "open pasture roads" if they meet specific criteria: cattle guards at access points, single ownership on both sides of the road, and no fencing. Property owners must apply to county commissioners by November 1, 2025, to designate eligible roads, with annual renewal required to maintain the status. Once designated, property owners and livestock owners are not liable for damages from vehicle collisions with livestock on these roads - drivers must pay for damages instead. The law applies only to roads meeting all criteria by the 2025 deadline and takes effect November 1, 2026.
This bill names a specific bridge on U.S. Highway 70 over Winters Creek (approximately 3 miles northeast of Bennington in Bryan County) as the "Clyde and Grace Cook Memorial Bridge." It requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers with this name on the bridge. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2026.
SB 2170 requires courts to mandate supervised visitation between a child and any parent accused of sexual abuse of that child, directly affecting children in custody cases and the accused parent. The bill establishes the "Oklahoma Child Supervised Visitation Program," requiring background checks (including national criminal history within one year) for volunteers and prohibiting untrained individuals from overseeing visits. It mandates protocols ensuring volunteers can monitor all interactions and includes safety measures like time logs and court-approved settings if a parent shows violent behavior. The law applies to all Oklahoma courts and aims to prioritize child safety during custody proceedings involving abuse allegations.
SB 201 establishes a mandatory minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. It sets specific annual salary floors based on years of experience and education level (e.g., $50,000 for a bachelor's degree with 0 experience), requiring school districts to meet these amounts through salary or fringe benefits. The bill defines "fringe benefits" to include retirement contributions (excluding certain state-mandated portions) and mandates written notice to teachers if districts propose salaries below the minimum. It also standardizes how teaching experience (including out-of-state, military, or Department of Defense service) is counted for salary increments, while prohibiting credit for more than five years of such experience.
SB 1379 establishes a two-year pilot program through Oklahoma's Attorney General's Office to provide grants to private nonprofit organizations supporting victims of sexual and labor trafficking. The program funds specific services like emergency shelter, mental health counseling, legal assistance, job training, and medical care - directly benefiting trafficking victims through partner organizations. Eligible organizations must demonstrate experience serving trafficking victims, maintain confidentiality, and use grants primarily for direct services (not exceeding 15% for administrative costs). Recipients must submit quarterly reports on services provided and outcomes, with the Attorney General compiling annual program evaluations for state leaders. The bill expands allowable uses of the Victims of Human Trafficking Fund to support this initiative.
