Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; death benefit amount; effective date.

HB 1237 increases death benefit payments for families of deceased members in several Oklahoma public retirement systems. For members who died before July 1, 1999, the benefit remains $4,000; for those dying on or after that date, it rises to $5,000 or $10,000. The bill also streamlines probate by allowing direct payments to heirs if they submit required documents (like heirship affidavits and written agreements), bypassing court procedures. This affects families of firefighters, police officers, judges, teachers, and other public employees covered by the specified retirement systems. The changes apply to death benefits paid under the Oklahoma Firefighters, Police, Judges, Teachers', and Public Employees Retirement Systems.