SB 1927 creates a new Class D2 felony offense for individuals who board a school bus without permission from a school district employee or refuse to exit a school bus when commanded. This law directly affects anyone who unlawfully enters or remains on a school bus, such as students, visitors, or others without authorization. The bill amends Oklahoma's criminal code to include this specific violation as a punishable felony, with penalties including potential imprisonment (up to 2 years for a first offense) under existing sentencing rules for Class D2 offenses. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.
HB 3444 allows Oklahoma counties to charge road impact fees on vehicles with overweight or oversize permits used in energy production, storage, or equipment (excluding certain energy-related equipment covered under separate law). These fees, calculated based on target ratio funding per mile, can increase by 50% if roads serve school bus routes, contain deficient bridges, or run near occupied homes. County commissioners must use collected fees exclusively for road maintenance, repair, or construction within their jurisdiction. The bill does not exempt fee-paying vehicles from existing road restrictions or liability for roadway damage caused by their use.
HB 2772 creates the "Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund" to provide dedicated state funding for transportation infrastructure. It mandates annual apportionments totaling $575 million for fiscal year 2021, increasing to $610 million annually starting in 2025, with $80 million allocated each year specifically for debt payments on transportation bonds before other uses. The fund must be used exclusively for constructing/maintaining state roads, bridges, highways, and related infrastructure - prohibited from replacing existing transportation funding - and requires annual oversight by the State Board of Equalization to prevent fund "supplanting." Additional smaller allocations ($2 million for the Heartland Flyer rail project and $3 million for public transit) are also specified within the funding structure. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, without the Governor's signature.
HB 1798 allows Oklahoma municipalities to use general revenue funds to purchase one-way bus tickets for individuals without a permanent residence who need to leave the state. The bill directly affects homeless or transient residents who lack stable housing and seek to travel out of Oklahoma. It permits cities or towns to allocate existing budget funds for this specific purpose, rather than requiring new funding. The law would take effect on November 1, 2025.
SB 562 strengthens Oklahoma's Bus Passenger Safety Act by expanding criminal penalties for violence targeting buses and passengers. It defines "bus" broadly to include vans, railcars, and other public transit vehicles, and makes it a felony to seize control of any bus (up to 20 years in prison), intimidate drivers/passengers (up to 10 years), or use deadly weapons during such acts (up to 20 years). The bill also prohibits discharging firearms in buses or terminals without valid self-defense justification (up to 5 years). These provisions directly affect bus passengers, drivers, and transit staff by increasing legal consequences for threats and violence against them.
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 258 creates a dedicated fund called the "Major Collector Routes Fund" in Oklahoma's state treasury to support county transportation projects. It directly affects Oklahoma counties, which can apply for grants to improve roads and bridges through a competitive program. The fund uses state budget money (not new taxes) to pay for projects evaluated on safety, innovation, necessity for public use, and features like traffic safety or school bus routes. Counties must contribute financially to projects to qualify, and funds are available continuously without annual budget limits.
