HB 1017 Oklahoma House · 2025 Regular Session

Higher education; Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act; Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission; emergency.

HB 1017 establishes the Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission to study creating a new in-state athletic conference for Oklahoma's NCAA Division II colleges. The commission, composed of presidents from 10 Oklahoma public and private universities, must analyze feasibility factors including potential member institutions, academic/athletic capabilities, and funding sources. It will produce a final report with recommendations to the legislature, but the bill does not create the conference itself. The commission may contract independent consultants and consult the NCAA during its study.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Last action May 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended during its journey from the House to the Senate, primarily adding a detailed legislative purpose statement and expanding the definition of the bill's scope. The Senate version now explicitly states the bill's goals, including promoting college athletics, improving graduation rates, and keeping Oklahoma students in Oklahoma. The committee amendments also added new definitions for key terms and expanded the Commission's membership structure.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a detailed statement of legislative purpose and enhanced definitions for key terms like 'Commission' and 'Member Institutions'. The Senate version added specific goals such as reducing university athletic budgets and improving student-athlete experiences.

SCOPE

Added a detailed legislative purpose statement explaining the bill's goals, including promoting college athletics, improving graduation rates, and keeping Oklahoma students in Oklahoma.

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for key terms including 'Student-Athletes' and 'The Conference' to clarify the bill's scope and terminology.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirements for the Commission to consult with a broader range of stakeholders including NCAA Division II representatives, athletic directors, student-athletes, and local government officials.

Modified the Commission membership structure to include ten specific institutional presidents from Oklahoma universities, with provisions for expansion through majority vote.

TECHNICAL

Added technical formatting changes including page headers, committee amendment indicators, and revised bill citation language.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 29, 2025

Committee

Referred for enrollment

lower

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Engrossed measure signed, returned to House

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Emergency passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 12

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Measure passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 13

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

Amendment restored bill to engrossed version

upper

Apr 29, 2025

Introduced

General Order, Amended

upper

Apr 16, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass Appropriations committee; CR filed

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations

upper

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

upper

Mar 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Engrossed, signed, to Senate

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred for engrossment

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 78 Nays: 13

lower

Feb 26, 2025

Lower · Passed

CR; Do Pass Education Oversight Committee

lower

Feb 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Postsecondary Education

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to Postsecondary Education

lower

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors