HB 2728, the "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma state agencies to conduct detailed economic impact analyses for "major rules" that could cost businesses, local governments, or individuals $1 million or more over five years in implementation and compliance costs. Agencies must provide this analysis - including cost quantification, methodology, and cost-minimization efforts - before submitting such rules to the Secretary of State. The law creates a Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency to independently review these analyses within 21 days and report findings to legislative committees. The LEAU must publicly post all analyses and annual reports, ensuring transparency about how proposed regulations affect the state economy and affected stakeholders.
HB 1414 changes Oklahoma's requirements for county sheriff candidates by adding a four-year full-time peace officer experience prerequisite, or equivalent military police service (verified by a DD214 form). It also mandates that newly elected sheriffs complete an approved sheriff's administrative training program within 12 months of taking office or risk losing their CLEET certification. The bill applies to all candidates filing for office after November 1, 2025, and does not affect current or previous sheriffs. This update aims to standardize qualifications and training for county law enforcement leadership.
SB 1024 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain Governor approval before drafting new rules or amendments. Agencies must first submit a detailed "statement of scope" outlining the rule's purpose, affected entities, and impact analysis, which the Governor can reject. The statement expires after 30 months, and agencies must restart the approval process if they significantly change the rule's scope. This bill also mandates agencies to analyze impacts on businesses and consumers before finalizing rules and allows the Governor or cabinet secretaries to block rules within 30 days of notice.
SB 147 requires Oklahoma's Secretary of the State Election Board to mandate all counties to conduct post-election audits for specific elections, directly affecting county election officials. The bill establishes that audits - defined as limited manual or electronic ballot reviews - must be conducted following elections listed in state law, with the Secretary setting audit methods, timing, and procedures. County election boards must report findings publicly, and the law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2729 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to change how courts handle challenges to agency decisions. It requires courts to interpret state laws, rules, and regulations themselves (de novo) rather than deferring to agency interpretations, and sets a 30-day deadline for filing judicial review after an agency's final order. The bill also limits civil penalties in cases where a jury trial would be available under common law, and allows courts to award attorney fees for frivolous claims. These changes directly affect individuals or entities challenging agency actions in court, making the review process more structured and reducing agency influence over legal interpretations. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1183 changes how Oklahoma calculates the motor vehicle excise tax by requiring the actual sales price (before trade-in discounts) to be used, provided it stays within 20% of the average retail value from Service Oklahoma's reference guides. This affects vehicle buyers and dealers, who must now document the sales price and tire details on the bill of sale. The bill mandates that the recorded price must align with published retail values to determine tax liability. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.
HB 2036 updates Oklahoma's eminent domain laws to ensure property owners can recover certain legal and professional fees when condemnation cases fail or when jury awards significantly exceed initial offers. Specifically, owners may be reimbursed for reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees if a case is abandoned, the property isn't acquired, or a jury award exceeds the initial compensation offer (or court-appointed commissioners' assessment) by at least 10%. The condemning party (e.g., government agency or utility company) must pay these fees, and initial offers must be made within 75 days of the commissioners' report to be considered timely. This applies to all condemnation proceedings under Oklahoma law.
HB 2798 establishes a statewide centralized hotline for reporting child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma, requiring school employees, health care professionals, and anyone suspecting abuse of a child under 18 to report immediately. The bill mandates the Department of Human Services to train hotline staff, track call data (including screened-out reports and unsubstantiated cases), and securely store recordings for 12 months while protecting reporter confidentiality. It imposes penalties for failure to report (misdemeanor for initial failure, felony for prolonged knowledge of abuse) or making false reports (misdemeanor, plus up to $5,000 fines in custody cases), and prohibits retaliation against reporters. The law, signed by the Governor on May 21, 2025, directly affects school staff, medical providers, and the general public who interact with children.
HB 1066 prohibits defendants from obtaining bail while appealing a conviction for 14 specific serious offenses, including murder, rape, robbery with weapons, drug trafficking, and crimes involving firearms or prior felony convictions. It directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses who seek to appeal their sentences. For all other felony cases, courts retain discretion to grant bail on appeal but must state their reasoning in writing. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1095, the Municipal Carry Act, modifies where individuals with valid handgun licenses can carry firearms in government-owned or leased properties. It allows concealed carry in parking areas, parks, and school parking lots (with firearms stored hidden in locked vehicles when unattended), while maintaining prohibitions in courthouses, schools, and event venues without specific authorization. Private schools may permit carry via adopted policies, and school districts can designate personnel with security licenses to carry on school property. Violations of prohibited areas may result in a $250 misdemeanor fine or removal from the property.
HB 1850 establishes Oklahoma's Uniform Trust Code, replacing the state's patchwork trust laws with a standardized set of rules. It directly affects anyone creating, managing, or benefiting from trusts in Oklahoma - including trustees, beneficiaries, and settlors (those who create trusts). Key provisions define trust terms, clarify trustee duties (like prudently managing assets and avoiding conflicts), set rules for beneficiary rights, and outline procedures for modifying or terminating trusts. The code also addresses creditor claims against settlors and provides uniform rules for revocable trusts and charitable trusts. This law took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on May 21, 2025.
SB 447 permits residents to collect nuts, edible plants, and fungi on state-owned or state-managed properties like parks and forests. The law, effective May 21, 2025, allows this activity without requiring permits or restricting quantities. It directly affects residents who use public lands for foraging. The bill does not include additional restrictions or exemptions. This policy change makes foraging legal on specified state properties.
