Transportation

HB 1384 requires Oklahoma's Department of Transportation (DOT) to mandate post-installation inspections for storm pipes that fail a structural test before installation. Contractors must pay for these inspections and any necessary fixes - like replacing or reinforcing pipes - to meet DOT standards. Inspections must verify structural integrity, proper installation, joint alignment, and absence of defects like cracks. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and directs the DOT to create implementing rules.

HB 2603 transfers enforcement authority for Oklahoma's motor carrier safety regulations - from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Public Safety - effective July 2026. This change affects commercial trucking companies and drivers by shifting oversight of safety rules, weigh station inspections, and permit enforcement to the Department of Public Safety. The bill creates a 12-month transition period (July 2026-June 2027) with a task force to coordinate the transfer of personnel, property, and responsibilities. Key provisions include requiring the Department of Public Safety to assume full enforcement authority over specific statutes related to motor carrier operations, permits, and safety compliance. The goal is to create a more unified enforcement approach for public safety in the commercial transportation sector.

HB 1155 requires Oklahoma's Department of Public Safety to create a real-time alert system that notifies drivers via phone text or app alerts and highway message boards when active police pursuits are occurring nearby. The system must only activate when a pursuit poses a public safety risk, providing clear details like the suspect vehicle's make, model, color, location, and direction while minimizing driver distraction. It mandates collaboration with mobile carriers and limits alerts to a defined radius around the pursuit, with automatic deactivation once the threat ends. This law directly affects drivers receiving alerts and law enforcement agencies confirming pursuits, aiming to enhance public safety during high-speed chases.