HB 2267 creates the "Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund" to finance transportation infrastructure projects. It increases annual funding to $575 million for fiscal year 2021 and $650 million starting July 1, 2025, with $80 million allocated annually first to cover transportation debt payments before funding roads, bridges, and highways. The bill specifies that funds cannot replace existing state transportation budgets and requires annual audits to ensure money enhances (rather than supplants) current state funding. It also allocates $2 million yearly for the Heartland Flyer rail project and $3 million for public transit.
SB 57 amends Oklahoma law to prohibit manually composing, sending, or reading text messages while driving a motor vehicle, and to ban holding hand-held cell phones. It reduces the fine for violations to $5 plus court costs (previously $100), with fines distributed to specific state programs like public safety, victim services, and courthouse security. The law allows hands-free or voice-operated technology use and permits exceptions for emergency calls to first responders, hospitals, or law enforcement. It directly affects drivers operating vehicles on Oklahoma roads and aligns municipal ordinances with state penalties. The bill also clarifies that traffic points won’t be added to licenses for these violations.
SB 73 amends Oklahoma's vehicle license fee distribution rules to cap the percentage of funds apportioned to school districts at the level established for the 2015 fiscal year (ending June 30, 2015). For fiscal years beginning July 1, 2019, and later, school districts will continue to receive 36.20% of vehicle registration fees, but the total amount cannot exceed what was distributed in 2015. Any excess funds above this cap will be directed to the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund instead of school districts. This bill directly affects school districts that receive vehicle registration fee distributions under Oklahoma law.
SB 20, the Oklahoma Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, creates a restricted commercial driver license for workers in specific farm-related industries, including farm retail, custom harvesting, livestock feeding, and agri-chemical businesses. To qualify, drivers must have held a regular license for at least one year, maintain a clean driving record (no suspensions or serious violations), and operate within 150 miles of their farm business, limited to Class B or C vehicles. The license also restricts transport of hazardous materials to specific quantities, such as diesel fuel (1,000 gallons or less) or liquid fertilizer (3,000 gallons or less), while prohibiting other placarded hazardous materials. This law directly affects commercial drivers in Oklahoma’s agricultural sector by establishing clear operational boundaries for these restricted licenses.
HB 1711 sets strict limits on driving hours for contract carriers transporting railroad employees in Oklahoma. It prohibits drivers from working more than 10 hours after 8 consecutive rest hours, 15 hours combined on-duty time, or 70 hours in a 7-day period, with a 2-hour emergency extension allowed. The bill requires carriers to maintain detailed time records and driver qualification files, disqualifies drivers with two serious traffic violations in three years (including DUIs, speeding over 15 mph, or leaving accident scenes), and mandates immediate alcohol/drug testing after accidents involving fatalities or injuries. It also requires pre-employment and post-accident testing with results reported to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.
SB 963 sets a $2.71 billion debt ceiling for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's revenue bonds, replacing previous borrowing limits. The bill requires all bond proceeds to fund turnpike projects exclusively, with any surplus deposited into a sinking fund. It updates Section 1709 of Oklahoma law to clarify bond issuance rules, including interest rates, maturity terms, and repayment mechanisms. This directly affects the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's ability to finance new turnpike construction or improvements within the established spending limit.
HB 1244 requires all new school buses purchased or contracted for use by Oklahoma school districts on or after July 1, 2025, to have seat belts for every passenger. This applies specifically to buses with a capacity of ten or more passengers. The bill mandates this change for new vehicles only, not existing buses, and updates signage requirements for school buses. It directly affects school districts and transportation contractors responsible for providing school bus services. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, following an emergency declaration.
SB 340 requires railroad operators transporting freight in Oklahoma to carry physical copies of three specific items aboard every train: the cargo manifest, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook, and crew qualification identification cards. This applies directly to all railroad companies operating freight trains within the state. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $5,000 for a second offense within three years, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025, and authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to issue citations for noncompliance.
SB 730 requires Oklahoma's Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics to develop a five-year Airport Construction Program and a statewide airport system plan, which will guide funding for airport infrastructure. The system plan must include all airports eligible for state funding and prioritize safety, economic growth, and FAA standards. It also updates the AeroSPACE Program, a partnership between schools and the aviation industry to create aerospace career pathways for students. These changes directly affect public airports seeking state funding and educational institutions participating in the workforce development initiative.
HB 1427 creates tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who invest in qualifying clean-burning motor vehicle fuel equipment. It directly affects vehicle owners and businesses that install or purchase equipment allowing vehicles to run on compressed natural gas, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. The bill provides tiered credits: up to $5,500 for light vehicles (under 6,000 lbs), up to $100,000 for heavy trucks (over 26,500 lbs), and 45% of costs for commercial refueling stations. Credits are limited to new, certified equipment meeting safety standards and must be claimed against state income tax. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years.
