House Bill 1365 updates the qualifications and licensing requirements for individuals seeking to become funeral directors or embalmers in Oklahoma. It outlines specific educational and apprenticeship criteria for a combined funeral director and embalmer license, including graduating from an accredited mortuary science program. The bill also introduces alternative pathways for those who wish to pursue a license solely as a funeral director or solely as an embalmer. These specialized licenses have distinct educational courses of study and apprenticeship requirements, and they are restricted from allowing the holder to serve as the "funeral director in charge."
Senate Bill 940 directs the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to implement a statewide plan for the control and removal of harmful woody species, like Eastern Redcedar, on state-owned, -leased, or -operated lands. It requires several state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation, to submit a comprehensive report by January 1, 2026. This report must detail their inventory of affected areas and their plans to eradicate these species from their properties. Subsequently, these agencies must electronically submit annual progress reports to the Legislature by November 1st, starting in 2026.
HB 1027 amends Oklahoma's Law Enforcement Retirement System code to update membership definitions and service credit calculations. It adds new member categories, including agents hired by the Office of the Attorney General or Military Department after July 1, 2024, and university police officers at the University of Oklahoma or Oklahoma State University. The bill revises how service credit is purchased during certain leaves of absence by updating the purchase price calculation formula. These changes directly affect current and future members of the retirement system, covering law enforcement officers across state agencies like the Highway Patrol, State Bureau of Investigation, and university police departments.
HB 1498 establishes a regulatory framework for prepaid funeral services. It requires providers of these services to obtain permits, outlining the application process and setting requirements for permit holders. The bill grants the Insurance Commissioner authority to oversee these services, including prescribing the form and manner of applications. It also defines violations, penalties, and examination procedures for compliance, and repeals certain existing sections of law related to prepaid funeral services.
House Bill 1816 aims to limit the Oklahoma Medicaid program's contracts with out-of-state medical providers. It states that the program should not contract with out-of-state providers for "treatment" if that same treatment is available from a provider licensed and practicing within Oklahoma. "Treatment" is defined as services requiring the patient's physical presence and direct care from a medical provider, specifically excluding remote services like laboratory analysis. The bill requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to obtain any necessary federal approvals to implement these provisions, with an effective date of November 1, 2025.
House Bill 1501 limits the total compensation a public insurance adjuster can receive when working for government entities in Oklahoma. For entities subject to The Governmental Tort Claims Act, the adjuster's total commission, including all expenses and direct costs, cannot exceed ten percent (10%) of the insurance settlement amount. This bill directly affects public insurance adjusters and governmental bodies by setting a maximum fee for these services.
SB 1046 sought to revise the laws governing alcoholic beverage licenses in Oklahoma, affecting businesses and individuals involved in the alcohol industry. The bill updated and specified annual fees for various license types, including those for brewers, distillers, and retail establishments. It also introduced new license categories such as "Delivery Service License" and "Delivery Driver License," along with their associated fees and validity periods. Additionally, the legislation aimed to establish certain requirements and limits for license holders and create an Alcohol Abuse Revolving Fund.
This resolution commemorates the 75th anniversary of the Sport Fish Restoration Program. It recognizes anglers, boaters, the sportfishing industry, and state and federal agencies for their contributions to restoring and managing fish and aquatic resources.
SB 96 prohibits the manufacture, sale, distribution, or offering for sale of cultivated meat (lab-grown meat developed from animal cell cultures) in Oklahoma. The bill directly affects companies producing or selling cultivated meat products, while allowing plant-based meat alternatives (clearly labeled as plant-based) to remain exempt. It amends Oklahoma's Meat Consumer Protection Act to define "cell-cultured meat" and explicitly ban its sale, with enforcement through the State Board of Agriculture. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1546 prohibits non-U.S. citizens from specific countries (China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or other U.S.-designated "foreign government adversaries") from owning agricultural land, forestry property, or real property within 200 miles of military installations or critical infrastructure facilities (like power plants, refineries, or water treatment plants). It requires sellers to submit a notarized affidavit verifying compliance with these restrictions when recording property deeds, with limited exceptions for deeds correcting title defects or securing debts. The bill applies to direct ownership and indirect ownership through business entities or trusts, effective November 1, 2025. This law directly affects foreign entities from the listed countries seeking to purchase or hold certain types of land in Oklahoma.
This resolution formally recognizes May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in Oklahoma. It highlights historical contributions, including Chinese railroad workers, early settlers in Oklahoma, and the state's AAPI community (noting Oklahoma City's "Little Saigon" district). As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or funding but honors the community's impact on Oklahoma and U.S. history.
HB 1591 requires individuals convicted of 25 specific serious crimes in Oklahoma to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. This applies to offenses like first-degree murder, child sex trafficking, domestic violence with weapons, human trafficking, and certain violent assaults. The bill prohibits earned credits or other sentence reductions that would allow offenders to serve less than 85% of their sentence. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and directly affects those sentenced for the listed crimes under Oklahoma law.
