SB 490 modifies the Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Rights Act, affecting student athletes, postsecondary institutions, and third parties involved in NIL agreements. The bill permits postsecondary institutions or authorized third parties to provide professional representation and compensate student athletes for their NIL, provided it aligns with collegiate association rules and institutional policy. Crucially, it prohibits the use of state funds by postsecondary institutions for such compensation. The bill also allows institutions to revoke agreements with student athletes who receive unauthorized compensation without liability and adjusts terms for contract disclosure and the post-eligibility use of NIL by institutions for promotional content.
HB 1122 updates the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission Act, affecting individuals and organizations involved in combative sports like boxing, wrestling, and mixed martial arts within the state. The bill grants the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission specific authority over events and jurisdiction, including the power to halt certain activities. It also modifies various definitions within the Act and establishes a mandatory licensing requirement for participants in sanctioned professional or amateur combative sports contests, which includes testing for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B.
SB 369 amends Oklahoma law to clarify and expand the definition of aggravated assault against law enforcement officers. It specifically includes attempts to seize an officer's firearm or strangulation as forms of aggravated assault, and increases penalties for assaults causing maiming to a minimum of five years in prison. The law applies to officers while on duty, covering police, sheriffs, highway patrol officers, corrections personnel, and state peace officers. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1373, known as the Commercial Solar Facility Decommissioning Act, establishes new requirements for the removal and cleanup of commercial solar power facilities in Oklahoma. It mandates that companies operating these facilities are responsible for decommissioning, including clearing solar devices, transformers, and cables to a depth of at least three feet, and filling any holes created. Landowners can also request the removal of roads and restoration of the land to a tillable state, including reseeding. The bill requires operating companies to provide financial assurance, such as a bond or letter of credit, to cover the costs of these decommissioning activities.
SB 450 repeals two specific sections (5301 and 5302) of Oklahoma Statutes that established the Oklahoma Military Base Closure Prevention Task Force. This bill formally dissolves the task force by removing its legal foundation, with the repeal taking effect on November 1, 2025. No new policies or direct impacts on residents are created by this repeal.
This bill creates the "Oklahoma Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act," allowing for the removal of unlawful restrictions in property records. An unlawful restriction is defined as a prohibition based on protected characteristics like race or religion that violates state or federal law. Individual property owners can record an amendment to remove such a restriction from their specific property. Owners associations can also amend their governing documents to remove these restrictions without a member vote, and members can request the association to do so. The bill specifies the content and recording process for these amendments with the county clerk.
SB 758 revises how virtual instruction counts toward the required instructional hours or days for public schools and charter schools in Oklahoma. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, virtual instruction generally cannot be counted towards the 180 days or 1080 hours of required classroom time. However, schools may count up to two days or twelve hours of virtual instruction if their specific plan is approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill defines virtual instruction as using the internet or other digital information transmission systems for teaching.
SB 623 amends the Protection from Domestic Abuse Act in Oklahoma, focusing on the service of protective orders. It requires an initial attempt to serve emergency protective orders and notices of hearing upon the defendant within 24 hours of issuance. The bill clarifies that these orders can be served at a county jail if the defendant is in custody and have statewide validity. Additionally, it allows a petition for a protective order to be renewed every 14 days with a new hearing date until the defendant is served, upon the petitioner's request.
HB 1369 updates the financial requirements for individuals and companies operating oil and gas wells in Oklahoma. Starting November 1, 2025, new operators will no longer be able to use a financial statement (Category A surety) to demonstrate financial ability, though existing operators can retain it. The bill establishes a tiered system for Category B surety, such as bonds or letters of credit, with amounts ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 based on the number of wells an operator manages. These changes aim to ensure operators have sufficient funds to cover the costs of well plugging, surface impoundment closure, and equipment removal. The Corporation Commission can also require higher surety amounts based on an operator's past compliance.
SB 438 prohibits health insurers and health maintenance organizations from requiring credit card payments as the sole acceptable payment method for healthcare providers. It mandates that insurers must notify providers in advance of any fees associated with credit card payments before implementing or changing payment methods. The law applies to all health insurance plans issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2020, affecting providers like doctors, hospitals, and clinics. This ensures providers have payment flexibility and transparency about transaction costs.
Senate Bill 930 allows the State of Oklahoma to establish concurrent jurisdiction with the United States over military installations within the state. This aims to ensure state law enforcement services, particularly for juvenile matters, are available on these properties. The concurrent jurisdiction becomes effective when the Governor formally accepts a request from a U.S. military officer overseeing the property, provided the request meets specific documentation requirements. Once established, state agencies may enter into reciprocal agreements with federal agencies to define duties, but the state does not incur liability by accepting this jurisdiction.
SB 377 updates Oklahoma's Fair Practices Act for equipment dealers and suppliers by revising key definitions and rules around dealer agreements. It clarifies terms like "dealer," "single-line dealer" (for dealers selling primarily construction/industrial equipment), and "net equipment cost" to better define financial obligations. The bill modifies termination requirements, setting a $350,000 threshold (adjusted annually for inflation) for compensation dealers must receive if agreements end, and updates prohibited actions between suppliers and dealers. This directly affects equipment dealers, especially single-line dealers, and their suppliers who sell construction, industrial, forestry, and mining equipment.
