SB 351 prohibits retailers and service providers in Oklahoma from adding extra fees (surcharges) when customers pay with credit or debit cards instead of cash, check, or similar payment methods. It allows businesses to offer discounts for cash payments but bans surcharges on card transactions. Certain entities - like private schools, municipalities, and online services - may charge fees to cover actual costs (e.g., processing fees or secure transaction costs), but only if the fee directly matches those expenses. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2095 amends Oklahoma's Open Records Act to clarify response procedures and fees for public records requests. It requires public bodies to provide records within 30 days (as implied by the title, though not explicitly stated in the provided text), expands exemptions for sensitive information like Social Security numbers and driver records, and caps copying fees at $0.25 per page for standard documents or $1.00 for certified copies. The bill also prohibits search fees when records are released for public interest purposes (e.g., to media, scholars, or taxpayers) and specifies that certain confidential data - such as personal financial information or license application details - must remain redacted. This directly affects all Oklahoma public bodies (like government agencies and local offices) and anyone requesting public records.
HB 2191 restricts notary publics from handling absentee ballots for others, limiting them to only assisting themselves or household members with ballot requests, receipt, or submission. Notaries must maintain detailed logs of all notarized absentee ballot forms for two years and submit these logs to county election boards if handling over 20 ballots per election, requiring special approval for higher volumes. Violations, such as exceeding the 20-ballot limit without authorization or failing to submit logs, can result in notary license revocation for eight years or misdemeanor fines up to $500. The law specifically exempts requests for nursing homes, veterans centers, and military facilities, and applies only to county, state, or local election processes.
HB 2590 requires Oklahoma's Office of Management and Enterprise Services to create a standardized form for state agencies evaluating vendors managing federal funds. This form must include specific vendor details like legal name, incorporation jurisdiction, principal officers' names, prior federal fund management experience, recent financial audits, and pending lawsuits. It directly affects state agencies contracting with external vendors for federal fund management. The bill mandates this form be used starting July 1, 2025, to standardize vendor vetting processes.
This ceremonial resolution (SCR 5) proclaims April 23, 2025, as the 26th Annual Oklahoma 4-H Day at the Capitol. It celebrates youth participants (ages 5-19) and volunteers in Oklahoma's 4-H program, which serves over 180,000 young people annually through hands-on learning in areas like STEM, agriculture, and community service. The resolution recognizes 4-H's role in developing leadership and civic engagement skills, and honors the program's 120-year history of community impact. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or alter existing programs.
This resolution formally recognizes and commends the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) for its 50th anniversary in 2025. It acknowledges NCSL's role since 1975 as a bipartisan organization supporting state legislatures through research, collaboration, and advocacy. The Oklahoma Senate directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to NCSL. This is a ceremonial gesture with no binding legal effect or policy changes.
HB 1120 requires Oklahoma state election officials to obtain prior approval from the state legislature before implementing new federal election rules or accepting federal election funds. It mandates written notice to state leaders (Governor, House Speaker, Senate President Pro Tempore, and Attorney General) within 10 business days about new federal election guidance, litigation threats from federal agencies, or planned use of federal funds. The bill also requires annual public reporting of federal election funds held by the state election board, starting January 2026. This law directly affects state and county election boards and aims to ensure legislative oversight of federal election-related actions.
HB 1990 amends existing Oklahoma law regarding who is prohibited from possessing firearms and defines related terms. The bill clarifies that convicted felons, individuals on felony probation, and certain adjudicated delinquents or youthful offenders are generally prohibited from possessing firearms, with an exception for pardoned nonviolent felons. It also makes it unlawful for an alien illegally or unlawfully in the U.S. to possess firearms, classifying this as a misdemeanor. Furthermore, the bill creates a felony offense for handgun license holders who knowingly allow a prohibited person to possess a firearm, which also results in license revocation. The act defines terms like "sawed-off shotgun," "altered toy pistol," and "alternative court program."
HB 2191 establishes new regulations for notary publics and absentee ballots in state, county, and political subdivision elections. The bill restricts notaries from requesting, receiving, or submitting absentee ballots for anyone other than themselves or a household member. It requires notaries to maintain a log of all notarized absentee ballot affidavits for two years and limits them to notarizing 20 affidavits per election, with exceptions for county election board approval or notarizations at a public place of business. Additionally, the bill mandates that county election boards notify law enforcement if more than ten absentee ballots are requested to a single address, triggering an investigation. Non-compliance can lead to fines, revocation of a notary's appointment, or misdemeanor charges.
HB 2154 amends the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act. It introduces a new requirement directly affecting charter school governing boards. Specifically, the bill mandates that these boards must approve a budget for the upcoming fiscal year before the start of that fiscal year, ensuring financial planning and oversight for charter schools.
HB 2893 modifies professional education requirements for public school paraprofessionals and teachers in Oklahoma. The bill requires the State Board of Education to establish a career development program for paraprofessionals, but exempts those with a bachelor's degree in education and recent classroom experience from additional professional education coursework requirements. It also exempts teachers with similar academic qualifications and recent experience from additional professional education coursework needed to obtain or renew emergency, alternate placement, or standard teaching certificates. This aims to streamline professional development by recognizing prior education and experience for eligible educators. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.
House Bill 2095 amends the Oklahoma Open Records Act, which governs public access to records held by government bodies and officials. The bill specifies various types of information that are exempt from public disclosure, including certain confidential investigative files, personal financial data, and records protected by legal privilege. It also sets guidelines for redacting sensitive personal information, such as Social Security numbers, before records are released. Additionally, the bill establishes limits on the fees public bodies can charge for copying records, capping standard copies at $0.25 per page and outlining when search fees may be applied. Although the bill's title mentions a thirty-day records request response time, the provided text does not detail this specific procedural change.
