SB 1946 reduces the annual fee for distiller licenses in Oklahoma from $3,125 to $1,250. It removes production limits for distilleries and eliminates requirements about distillery premises needing to be contiguous. The bill also allows distilleries to sell sample spirits at certain events and exempts specific spirits from brand label registration fees. These changes directly affect distilleries, liquor businesses, and event organizers selling spirits. The bill modifies existing licensing fees and operational rules under Oklahoma's alcohol regulations.
SB 2011 expands Oklahoma's Class B5 criminal offense classification by adding 37 specific crimes, including domestic violence against intimate partners, assaults on police officers, stalking, and certain animal cruelty acts. This change affects individuals convicted of these offenses by subjecting them to the more severe penalties associated with Class B5, a higher-level criminal classification. The bill also updates statutory references to ensure consistency in the law. Introduced in the 2026 Oklahoma Legislature, it was referred to the Judiciary Committee.
SB 1562 updates Oklahoma's hospice care regulations by requiring hospices to coordinate services with patients' primary physicians and community providers, maintain 24/7 care availability, and provide bereavement support. It specifies penalties for hospices or employees who knowingly solicit patients from other hospices, including fines of $500-$2,000 per violation, and prohibits contracting with providers holding a conditional license within 18 months. The bill also clarifies that advertising and marketing are permitted if not false, misleading, or tied to referral volume. These changes apply directly to all hospice providers licensed in Oklahoma, aiming to improve care coordination and prevent unethical practices.
SB 1489 requires Oklahoma public schools and the State Department of Education to comply with federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) standards for students with disabilities aged 3-21. It mandates that school districts provide special education services as defined by IDEA and authorizes using federal funds for these services. The bill specifically requires the State Department to publish online dispute resolution options for parents, including IEP facilitation, mediation, due process, and state complaints. This bill affects all Oklahoma public school districts, students with disabilities, and their families, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 1670 requires Oklahoma public universities to adopt a new policy for research partnerships with private businesses, directing the Oklahoma State Regents to create a model policy that includes a tiered ownership system for technology developed through these partnerships. This tiered system bases ownership stakes and inventor compensation on the revenue generated from new technology, ensuring inventors receive competitive pay compared to other institutions. The policy also mandates universities to encourage development in specific areas like medical, biotech, and energy technology, while tracking related expenses and financial relationships. All policies must be reviewed every seven years to maintain competitiveness.
SB 1633 removes provisions allowing undocumented students to qualify for Oklahoma resident tuition by submitting immigration status applications or affidavits. It eliminates language ensuring these students would not be disqualified from state scholarships or financial aid based on immigration status. The bill aligns Oklahoma’s higher education residency rules with Section 3242.2, which generally prohibits non-residents from receiving resident tuition benefits or state financial aid. This change directly affects students who previously relied on the removed documentation pathways to access in-state tuition rates.
SB 1920 increases the threshold for requiring title return from 60% to 70% of a vehicle's fair market value when repair costs exceed that amount. It affects vehicle owners and insurance companies: if repair costs for safe highway operation surpass 70% of fair market value, owners must return the title to Service Oklahoma within 30 days, triggering a salvage title process. The bill requires special title markings for flood-damaged or recovered theft vehicles and outlines procedures for obtaining rebuilt titles after repairs, including visual inspections and documentation requirements. This amendment updates Oklahoma's motor vehicle insurance code (47 O.S. § 1111) to adjust the point at which vehicles are classified as salvage.
SB 1593 removes outdated language from Oklahoma law regarding the Board of Trustees for Oklahoma State University/Tulsa. Specifically, it deletes requirements for the Board to "promulgate rules" (create official rules) and details about the presidential search process. The bill affects the OSU-Tulsa Board of Trustees, which previously had to follow these specific procedural steps. This change simplifies the governing structure by eliminating redundant or obsolete provisions, effective July 1, 2026. The legislation does not create new policies or alter the Board's responsibilities.
SB 2180 requires foreign entities lobbying Oklahoma state government to register with the Secretary of State. It mandates detailed filings about their clients, lobbying activities, and funding sources, creating a public online database of all registered agents. The law excludes diplomats, commercial lawyers, and media organizations from coverage. Violations, such as false filings, could result in fines up to $1,000 or jail time.
SB 1555 updates Oklahoma's Medicaid definitions for "individual with intellectual disability" and "developmental disability" to align with current standards. It raises the age for disability manifestation from 18 to 22 years, refines IQ criteria (e.g., requiring scores below 70 or 71-75 with specific scoring), and revises adaptive skill areas to match Social Security Administration guidelines for daily living skills. These changes directly affect Medicaid eligibility for individuals seeking home- and community-based services under Oklahoma Statutes §1406-1424. The bill ensures existing Medicaid recipients as of September 1, 1991, remain eligible, and the Department of Human Services may expand services for underserved individuals within available resources. The updated definitions take effect November 1, 2026.
SB 346 modifies Oklahoma's school employee background check rules for teachers moving between districts. It allows full-time teachers applying to new districts to skip a new criminal history check if they provide a copy of a check done within the last five years and a letter from their previous district. This letter must specifically state whether allegations of inappropriate behavior between the teacher and a student were raised or if an investigation was pending. The bill also includes similar exceptions for substitute teachers moving between positions within the same or different districts under specific conditions. The policy aims to reduce redundant background checks for educators with stable employment records.
SB 65 amends Oklahoma's controlled substances laws (63 O.S. Sections 2-315 and 2-508) to streamline the destruction process for unused or seized dangerous drugs. It removes the requirement for facilities (like group homes or hospitals) and law enforcement to submit substances to specific locations (e.g., Oklahoma City lab or DEA) before destruction, and eliminates the mandatory incineration rule. Instead, authorized individuals (such as medical examiners or law enforcement agencies) may now destroy substances directly while still complying with federal regulations (21 C.F.R. Part 1317). This change simplifies the process for handling outdated, abandoned, or seized drugs without altering the core evidence retention procedures for law enforcement.
