HB 2390 modernizes Oklahoma's Self-Service Storage Facility Lien Act by allowing electronic rental agreements and clarifying lien rules. It requires storage facilities to provide written notice before disposing of abandoned property (after 30 days) and caps late fees at $20 or 20% of unpaid rent. The bill ensures facilities can place liens on stored items for unpaid rent, late fees, or preservation costs, with liens attaching when property is stored. These changes directly affect renters storing personal property and storage facility owners, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1982 updates Oklahoma school contracting rules for electronic educational materials. It requires vendors to guarantee materials are ready for immediate use at delivery, provide free replacements for defects within seven days, and supply updates/support within seven days of a school's notification. The bill also mandates that electronic files for textbooks must be in formats compatible with federal accessibility standards (like Braille conversion), ensuring materials can be adapted for students with disabilities. These rules apply to digital textbooks, software, and online learning tools purchased by school districts, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1496 changes the appeal process for decisions made by local city or town boards of adjustment (which handle zoning and land use matters). It removes the requirement for a bond when filing appeals in district court, mandates that appeals be re-heard from scratch (de novo), and establishes specific rules for temporary stays during appeals. Courts must consider four factors before granting stays and require bonds (except for municipal governments), with stays automatically ending once a final court decision is issued. This directly affects property owners challenging local decisions and city governments defending them in Oklahoma municipalities.
HB 1832 clarifies rules for electronic monitoring in Oklahoma's long-term care facilities, directly affecting residents of nursing homes, assisted living centers, intermediate care facilities, and continuum of care facilities. The bill requires facilities to obtain written consent from residents or their representatives before monitoring resident rooms and prohibits refusing admission or removal based on monitoring. It also mandates facilities to post notices about monitoring and allows residents to install their own monitoring devices with roommate consent. The law prohibits unauthorized monitoring, tampering with devices, and sharing recordings without consent, ensuring privacy protections for residents.
HB 2418 creates a new pathway for career and technology education instructors by allowing the State Board of Career and Technology Education to establish rules for "adjunct teachers" with distinguished field expertise, who do not need standard teaching certification. It revises alternative teaching certification requirements, removing student teaching mandates and allowing candidates with relevant work experience or terminal degrees to qualify for provisional teaching credentials. The State Department of Education must collaborate with the Career and Technology Education Board to implement these rules, including issuing credentials for adjunct teachers. Additionally, all teacher education programs must offer alternative certification in four key areas (including math, science, and foreign language) to maintain accreditation.
HB 2169 increases fees for money transmission businesses (like Western Union or MoneyGram) operating in Oklahoma. It requires a $5-$10 fee per transaction under $500, plus 1-2% on amounts over $500, with quarterly payments to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. The fees fund a Drug Money Laundering Revolving Fund, and businesses must notify customers they can claim a tax credit for the fee when filing income taxes. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and includes enforcement measures like license suspensions for non-compliance.
HB 1065 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Quality Events Incentive Act from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2032. The bill amends Section 4301 of the Oklahoma Statutes to change the program's end date, directly affecting event organizers qualifying under the Act for tax incentives. This extension provides continued eligibility for qualifying events through 2032 without altering the incentive structure or creating new tax obligations. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2025, following its passage in the legislature.
HB 1938 requires Oklahoma school districts to conduct annual fitness assessments for students in grades 3 through 12 starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The assessments must measure aerobic capacity, body composition, and muscular strength using age- and gender-specific health standards, with exemptions for students with disabilities. School districts must report anonymized results to state education and health agencies and provide clear summaries to parents, while the State Department of Education and Health must analyze correlations between fitness results and factors like obesity, attendance, academic performance, and school meal programs. The bill also mandates an annual report to the Governor on district compliance and allows for recognition programs for schools showing fitness improvements.
HB 2805 establishes minimum medical loss ratio (MLR) requirements for dental benefit plans in Oklahoma, requiring insurers to spend at least 85% of premium revenue on actual dental care (not overhead) for large group plans and 80% for individual/small group plans. If insurers fail to meet these ratios, they must issue annual rebates to enrollees calculated as the shortfall multiplied by total premium revenue (excluding certain fees). The bill also mandates annual MLR reporting to the Oklahoma Insurance Department by calendar year, with public data disclosure, and requires insurers to file dental rate changes by July 1 for January 1 effective dates. It does not apply to Medicaid plans and takes effect January 1, 2028, for rebate implementation.
HB 1604 updates Oklahoma's vehicle excise tax rules, changing rates for off-road vehicles (4.5% of sale price with a $5 minimum) and adjusting used vehicle tax brackets. It adds a $10 flat fee for heavy trucks (55,000+ pounds), trailers, and frac tanks used for highway transport, while clarifying this tax replaces sales/use taxes for commercial vehicles. The bill also allows tax credits for stolen or defective new vehicles within 90 days (theft) or six months (defect). These changes affect all Oklahoma vehicle buyers, sellers, and commercial truck operators, particularly for off-road vehicles and heavy freight equipment.
HB 1769 modifies Oklahoma school district health insurance benefits for employees. It sets minimum monthly flexible benefit allowances: $69.71 for certified staff (like teachers) and $189.69 for support staff (like aides) if they opt out of the district’s health plan. Employees who don’t use their full allowance to cover health benefits receive the excess as taxable cash payments. The bill requires annual enrollment between November 1 and December 15, with specific rules for mid-year terminations and unused allowances.
SB 1065 raises the maximum compensation limit for pain and suffering (noneconomic damages) in personal injury cases from $350,000 to $500,000. It directly affects plaintiffs injured by negligence who seek compensation for non-monetary harms like pain, disfigurement, or loss of companionship. The bill allows exceeding the cap only if a jury finds the defendant acted with reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or intentional malice - requiring specific findings on the misconduct type. This law applies to all bodily injury cases filed after November 1, 2025, and does not affect government tort claims or wrongful death cases.
