HB 1017 Oklahoma House · 2026 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 state-based athletic conference for Oklahoma’s NCAA Division II colleges. The commission, composed of university presidents from 10 Oklahoma institutions, will analyze feasibility factors including member schools, finances, student-athlete benefits, and NCAA compliance. It must produce a detailed report within 12 months, covering potential members, transition plans, funding models, and community benefits. The bill directly affects Oklahoma’s public and private universities participating in NCAA Division II athletics by exploring a new conference to enhance local rivalries, reduce travel costs, and keep students in-state. The legislation became law on May 7, 2025, without a governor’s signature.

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

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

MODERATE

The bill was amended to shift from a House-only version to a Senate floor version, incorporating significant policy changes regarding the bill's purpose, definitions, and commission structure. The Senate version adds specific legislative goals such as improving graduation rates and reducing travel costs, expands the definition of the commission's purpose, and increases the initial membership size from ten to ten members (with a new list of university presidents) while adding the ability to expand membership later.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include goals of improving student graduation rates, reducing university athletic budgets through less travel, and keeping Oklahoma students in Oklahoma. The definition of the commission now includes a broader mandate to explore creating a new NCAA Division II conference.

SCOPE

Added specific legislative intent to improve graduation rates, reduce athletic budgets via less travel, and enhance in-state rivalries.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'The Conference' to describe the collective body of institutions forming the athletic conference.

REQUIREMENT

Modified the commission membership list to include presidents of ten specific universities and added a provision allowing membership expansion by majority vote.

Added a requirement for the commission to consult with a broader range of stakeholders, including local government officials and business leaders.

TECHNICAL

Changed the document header from 'House of Representatives' to 'Senate Floor Version' and updated the legislative session details.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 29, 2025 · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

40–6

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 49

Apr 29, 2025

D Democratic9

2 Yea 6 Nay 1

66% Nay

R Republican40

38 Yea 2

95% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

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