House Bill 1516 modifies Oklahoma law concerning minors' ability to contract for insurance, primarily affecting individuals aged 15 and 16, their parents, and insurance providers. The bill raises the minimum age for a minor to contract for life or accident and health insurance from 15 to 16 years old. Additionally, it requires signed parental or guardian consent for minors sixteen years of age or older to enter into any type of insurance contract, including life, accident, health, or other forms of insurance. With this consent, these minors are generally bound by the contract terms, except for any unperformed agreements to pay premiums.
HB 2117 enacts the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, establishing a new framework for resolving civil disputes outside of traditional court proceedings. This act allows individuals and organizations in a dispute to work with their specially designated "collaborative lawyers" to reach a resolution. Participation is voluntary, requiring a signed agreement that outlines the matter and the parties' intent to resolve it collaboratively. The bill details how this collaborative process begins, how it concludes with a signed resolution, or how it terminates if a party decides to pursue traditional litigation.
House Bill 2762, also known as the "International Corporation Agent Political Activity Oversight Act of 2025," requires individuals representing foreign-owned or foreign-headquartered businesses to register with the Oklahoma Secretary of State. These "international corporation agents" must pay a fee and submit a completed filing before they can advocate to influence state laws or seek state funding for their associated international corporation. The Secretary of State will develop the necessary forms and procedures for this new registration process. This measure aims to create oversight for political activities undertaken by agents of international corporations within the state.
HB 1512 grants the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner the authority to establish, administer, and operate a health insurance exchange or marketplace in the state. This enables the Commissioner to implement provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act within Oklahoma. The bill also allows the Commissioner to apply for federal waivers related to the Act. This legislation directly affects Oklahomans who utilize these health insurance marketplaces.
HB 1993 amends existing Oklahoma law concerning the crime of eluding a peace officer. The bill clarifies and expands the circumstances under which eluding an officer constitutes a felony offense. It specifies that eluding an officer is a misdemeanor, but becomes a felony if the act endangers any other person or causes an accident resulting in great bodily injury. "Great bodily injury" is defined as harm causing a substantial risk of death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss of bodily function. This act will become effective on November 1, 2025.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 9 (SCR 9) formally recognizes Dean Blevins for his decades of contributions to Oklahoma athletics, sports journalism, and community service. The resolution celebrates his lasting impact on the state and directs that a copy be distributed to Blevins and his family.
This bill establishes a staffing requirement for retail pharmacies in Oklahoma, limiting the number of pharmacy technicians to no more than five for every one licensed pharmacist. It also updates regulations for pharmacy technicians by requiring them to obtain permits from the State Board of Pharmacy, pay annual fees of up to $75, and complete renewal forms by a specific deadline to avoid late fees. The law applies to all licensed retail pharmacies operating in Oklahoma and takes effect on November 1, 2025.
SB 299 modifies how Oklahoma calculates taxable income for businesses by changing the rules for net operating loss (NOL) deductions. It specifically adjusts how businesses can carry forward or back federal NOLs to offset Oklahoma taxable income, creating a separate "Oklahoma net operating loss" for state tax purposes. For tax years beginning after December 31, 2007, and ending before January 1, 2009, the bill limits NOL carrybacks to two years. This bill directly affects businesses with federal NOLs operating in Oklahoma, altering their state tax calculations without changing tax rates or exemptions.
SB 253 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) to include specific funding details in its annual Medicaid budget request. It mandates that the budget must reflect new state and federal funding needed to cover additional costs for reimbursing nursing facilities and intermediate care facilities serving individuals with intellectual disabilities. This reimbursement must be based on the most recent audited cost, calculated using the latest cost report submitted to OHCA. The bill directly affects Medicaid providers and the state's budgeting process for Medicaid services, effective November 1, 2025.
SB 198 allows real estate contracts for the sale, conveyance, lease with an option to buy, or similar transactions to include a time period of up to 180 days to secure required permits, zoning changes, or other land use approvals necessary for the property's operation. This directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate deals where such approvals are needed before using the property. The bill does not require these approvals but gives parties the option to build this timeline into contracts without breaching terms. It becomes effective on November 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 880 amends the qualifications for individuals serving on the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors. The bill eliminates the prior educational requirement that mandated specific numbers of board members hold a master's or bachelor's degree. Instead, it maintains the requirement that members be licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselors with at least three years of experience. This change directly affects who is eligible for appointment to the Board.
Senate Bill 1028 updates the requirements for notaries public in Oklahoma. It mandates a national criminal history record check for all applicants, including those renewing a commission, and specifies that a felony conviction will prevent or remove an individual from serving as a notary. The bill also increases several fees, such as the initial application fee, renewal fee, and same-day filing service fee. Additionally, it raises the required bond for notaries from $1,000 to $10,000 and increases the bond filing fee. These changes will become effective on January 1, 2026.
