Cities and towns; public utility; system malfunctions; liability; third-party contractors; effective date.

HB 3883 requires municipal water and wastewater utilities in Oklahoma to implement a detailed operations and maintenance program covering certified staff, preventative maintenance tracking, sewer line inspections, emergency response, record-keeping, and infrastructure analysis. It also mandates that utilities educate users on proper system use, including requiring fats/oils/grease ordinances and backflow-prevention devices for new construction and, optionally, residential properties. Utilities meeting these standards gain liability protection under Oklahoma law for system failures, while third-party contractors operating under contract receive a 12-month defense against penalties for pre-existing system issues if they complete a corrective plan within 180 days. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.