Administrative Procedures Act; modifying procedures for judicial review; adding grounds for disqualification of examiner or member; modifying certain hearing procedures. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 542 modifies Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to improve transparency and efficiency in agency hearings. It requires agencies to issue declaratory rulings within 120 days, mandates that all parties receive copies of hearing notices, and adds specific grounds for disqualifying hearing examiners or agency members (such as improper appointment or failure to take the oath). The bill also increases attorney fee awards in certain cases and updates statutory language to be gender-neutral. These changes directly affect state agencies, individuals/businesses participating in administrative proceedings, and hearing examiners.