HB 2872 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to follow new procedural steps before building new turnpikes or modifying existing ones. It mandates 30-day public comment periods for affected property owners and businesses, public hearings, and detailed analysis of financial and operational impacts on local businesses and consumers. The bill also requires the Authority to provide clear notices with maps and cost estimates, and allows affected parties to sue if procedures are skipped, recovering court costs and attorney fees. This directly affects communities, businesses, and consumers near proposed turnpike routes by increasing their input in the planning process.
HB 2715, the Laser Safety Act, increases penalties for intentionally pointing lasers at law enforcement officers or aircraft. It raises fines for first-time offenses against officers to $500 (up from $100) and for aircraft to $1,000 (up from $100), with steeper penalties for repeat violations. Second offenses against officers carry up to $1,000 fines or 2 years in jail, while second aircraft offenses can result in $5,000 fines or 5 years in prison. The law excludes authorized uses like FAA research, military operations, or emergency signaling devices. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 1070, titled "Kenny's Law," proposes a requirement that gates containing livestock must remain closed at all times, except during specific, limited situations like property maintenance, livestock movement, or reasonable entry/exit. It directly affects livestock property owners, farmers, and anyone working with enclosures by mandating gate closure to prevent escapes. Violations - such as leaving gates open, damaging gates, or allowing livestock to escape - would be misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $2,500 or up to one year in jail for repeat offenses. The bill, which failed committee review on February 17, 2025, would have taken effect November 1, 2025, if enacted.
HB 1961 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program to provide one-time financial assistance to private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma. The program requires applicants to secure 40% matching funds, provide industry support documentation, and submit project proposals detailing testing capabilities, timelines, and budgets. A revolving fund in the State Treasury, financed through state appropriations and donations, will administer the grants, with recipients required to submit quarterly progress reports. The bill amends Oklahoma law to establish this program, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 2615 creates the "Oklahoma Community Health Worker Act," establishing a voluntary certification program for community health workers through the State Department of Health. It defines certified community health workers as frontline health professionals who serve as liaisons between communities and health services, helping identify resource gaps and building community health capacity through outreach and education. The bill requires the Department to set standards for coursework, exams, and qualifications, establish fees for certification and renewal, and create rules for granting or revoking certificates. This law directly affects community health workers seeking formal recognition and the communities they serve by standardizing their role and access to health resources. The act becomes effective November 1, 2025.
HB 2034 creates a Regional Rural Transportation Task Force to address transportation challenges in western Oklahoma, specifically serving areas covered by NORTPO and SORTPO. The task force, composed of 11 members including legislative representatives, transportation directors, health authorities, and development agencies, must analyze data, identify funding gaps, and develop pilot programs by December 2026. Key provisions include expanding mobility navigators in rural regions, launching volunteer driver and real-time tracking pilot programs, and coordinating with health and broadband offices to improve rural transit infrastructure. The Task Force must submit a final report to state leaders by October 1, 2026, detailing recommendations for sustainable transit solutions. The bill expires December 31, 2026, unless extended by future legislation.
HB 2230, the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act of 2025, increases the state's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour or the current federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, for all covered workers in Oklahoma. The bill directly affects all employees in covered industries across the state, requiring employers to pay this new minimum rate. Key provisions include amending Oklahoma Statutes Section 197.2 to establish this updated wage floor and setting an effective date of November 1, 2025. The law replaces the previous minimum wage rate with this higher standard for all hours worked.
HB 2382 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to verify SNAP (food assistance) eligibility through regular data-sharing with state agencies, including lottery commissions (for $3,000+ winnings), health departments, tax authorities, and employment agencies. It mandates monthly reviews of income/residency changes, prohibits applying income standards stricter than federal law, and requires public reporting of fraud investigations and improper payments. The bill directly affects SNAP households by tightening eligibility checks and fraud monitoring. It also directs inspections of retailers accepting EBT cards to detect benefit trafficking. These provisions aim to ensure SNAP benefits align with federal nutrition support goals.
HB 1410 changes Oklahoma school district election schedules, setting general elections for the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (even years) or April (odd years), and primaries for the second Tuesday in February (odd years) or third Tuesday in June (even years). It requires school board candidates to declare their political party affiliation or nonpartisan status, which must appear on both primary and general election ballots. The bill directly affects school board candidates and voters in all Oklahoma school districts and technology center school districts. It takes effect December 1, 2025.
HB 2124 establishes a formal system for evaluating Oklahoma judges' performance. It creates the Office of Judicial Performance Evaluation and a Judicial Performance Evaluation Council (JPEC) within the Supreme Court, requiring all district and appellate judges to undergo annual evaluations through confidential surveys and self-assessments. The Supreme Court must adopt rules for the process, including performance standards, and provide reports to state officials. Judges who fail two consecutive evaluations or skip required programs will have their performance results made public on the Supreme Court website. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and mandates an annual public report on the program's implementation.
HB 2127 prohibits imprisoning defendants for inability to pay court fines, fees, or costs in criminal cases. It establishes a court cost compliance program with liaisons to help defendants set up installment payment plans instead of facing jail time. The bill requires courts to accept payments via phone, mail, or online, and mandates that defendants pay all costs (including fines, fees, and assessments) through this structured process. This directly affects individuals convicted of crimes who owe court financial obligations in Oklahoma.
HB 2063 amends Oklahoma's Nursing Practice Act to clarify and restrict the use of specific nursing titles. It defines Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and their four specialty roles (Certified Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), explicitly stating only licensed individuals may use these titles or abbreviations (e.g., "CNP," "APRN"). Unauthorized use of these titles is punishable by a misdemeanor fine ($100-$1,000) or up to one year in jail. This directly affects nursing professionals and others who might use these titles without proper licensure.
