HB 3727 Oklahoma House · 2026 Regular Session

Lobbying regulation; political subdivisions; public funds; lobbyist; former members of the Legislature; effective date.

HB 3727 prohibits Oklahoma political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that hire such lobbyists. It allows local governments to reimburse employees for travel related to legislative advocacy, provide information to lawmakers, or support nonprofit associations offering non-lobbying services like bill tracking. The bill also creates a six-year cooling-off period, banning former state legislators from working as lobbyists after their term ends, effective January 2027. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and includes provisions for citizens to seek court injunctions and recover attorney fees if public funds are misused.

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Feb 3, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The Policy Committee completely rewrote HB 3727, replacing the original lobbying restrictions with a new focus on cooling-off periods for former legislators. The bill now prohibits former House and Senate members from working as lobbyists for four years after their terms end, rather than the original six-year ban on political subdivisions spending money on lobbyists.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from regulating political subdivision spending on lobbyists to regulating former legislators' ability to work as lobbyists. The original provisions about political subdivisions hiring lobbyists were removed entirely.

FISCAL

Removed all restrictions on political subdivisions spending public funds to hire lobbyists or pay nonprofit organizations that hire lobbyists.

ELIGIBILITY

Added a four-year cooling-off period preventing former legislators from registering as lobbyists after their terms end.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from January 1, 2027 to November 1, 2026, and reduced the lobbying ban period from six years to four years.

ENFORCEMENT

Removed provisions allowing taxpayers to seek injunctive relief and recover attorney fees for violations of the lobbying restrictions.

EXEMPTIONS

Added an exemption for former legislators who were already registered as lobbyists before November 1, 2026.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Civil Judiciary

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors