This bill is a procedural amendment that modifies an existing legislative text by removing specific language and deleting certain subparagraphs. It does not create new laws or policies but instead alters the wording of a previous bill related to marriage and child protection provisions. The changes affect the legal text itself rather than directly impacting individuals or organizations. The bill is currently in the legislative process and has been referred to the Rules committee for further consideration.
HB 1537, the "SAFE Bet Act," establishes a regulatory framework for sports wagering in Oklahoma. It defines key terms like "sports wager," "sports wagering operator," and "Indian Tribe" to clarify what constitutes legal betting and who is subject to the law. The bill authorizes the Attorney General to enforce rules, impose civil penalties for violations, and requires operators to submit anonymized wagering data. It specifically exempts certain activities under federal law (like horseracing) and applies to both state-regulated betting and tribal gaming compacts. The law creates the foundation for future regulation but does not set specific betting limits or tax rates.
HB 1971, the "Accountability, Transparency, and Protection for Exploited Youth Act," requires staff, contractors, and volunteers in Oklahoma juvenile facilities (including group homes and county detention centers) to immediately report suspected sexual misconduct or exploitation involving juveniles to both their supervisor and the Office of Juvenile System Oversight. Failure to report carries criminal penalties (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fines) and civil liability for negligence, with potential damages of up to $50,000 per victim. The bill mandates annual staff training on recognizing and reporting misconduct and requires the Oversight Committee to submit annual reports to the legislature. It also creates an exception to juvenile record confidentiality, allowing limited disclosure of relevant records to law enforcement, guardians, and legal representatives in sexual violence cases while maintaining broader confidentiality protections.
HB 2090 requires the State Auditor and Inspector to conduct a special audit of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) by December 1, 2023. The audit must specifically assess OTA's revenue needs for repaying turnpike costs, risk management, 15-year financial projections for maintenance funds, reserve fund shortfalls, and cost overruns on the "Driving Forward Program." This bill directly affects the OTA, mandating a comprehensive financial review to determine timelines for converting turnpikes to toll-free roads and identifying financial gaps. The State Auditor must submit a written report to the Governor, legislative leaders, and transportation committees. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and is designated as an emergency measure.
HB 1866 requires Oklahoma property sellers to disclose specific condition details to buyers before a sale. Sellers must provide either a standard disclosure form (covering items like water systems, structural issues, plumbing, and polybutylene pipes) or a disclaimer statement if they've never occupied the property. All disclosures must be signed by the seller within 180 days of the sale date. The Oklahoma Real Estate Commission will develop the required forms, which must include specific warnings that disclosures are not warranties.
HB 2188 requires Oklahoma public schools to conduct hearing screenings for students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, second, third, fifth, seventh, and eleventh grades (or comparable age groups). School districts must use specific equipment meeting ANSI standards, including pure tone audiometers or tympanometers, and screen students who haven't provided recent certification from approved providers. Exemptions apply if a student has a hearing screening within the past six months by a provider listed on the State Department of Health's statewide registry, or if a parent provides certification of a recent audiologist exam for deaf or hard-of-hearing students. The bill also establishes a statewide registry for approved hearing screening providers and mandates annual reports to the State Board of Education.
HB 1538, the "Student Retention Protocol Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma schools to offer specific screenings and assessments to students identified as "at risk of being retained" (those below academic thresholds for advancing grades). It mandates hearing and vision screenings, family assessments, and, with parental consent, psychiatric, occupational, or physical therapy evaluations to address potential learning barriers before retention decisions. Schools may provide these services using qualified personnel or contracted professionals, but all provisions depend on available funding. The bill directly affects at-risk students, their families (who must approve psychiatric evaluations), and school districts, aiming to prevent retention through targeted support rather than changing retention policies themselves. It becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 2098 amends Oklahoma's court fee structure for district court filings, setting specific flat fees for various case types. It directly affects individuals and entities filing court cases, including those involving forcible entry and detainer (set at $100), and establishes new funding streams: $6 for the Law Library Fund, $25 for the Court Information System, $5 for court-appointed advocates (OCASA), and $2 split between judicial complaints and interpreter services. The bill also allows counties to add up to $10 per case for courthouse security and includes a fee waiver process for indigent litigants who prove poverty through an affidavit. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2835 requires that elections for district attorneys and county sheriffs in Oklahoma be nonpartisan, meaning candidates must run as independent without party labels and primary elections will not be held. This change directly affects voters in all county and district attorney election districts and the candidates seeking these offices. The law mandates that all candidates appear on ballots solely as independents, eliminating partisan designations in these races. It will take effect on November 1, 2025.
HB 1358 removes the prohibition against carrying concealed handguns on public college, university, and technology center campus property for individuals with a valid Oklahoma Self-Defense Act license. The bill amends Oklahoma Statute § 1277 to clarify that public educational institutions may no longer ban licensed firearm carriers from campus property, while maintaining existing restrictions in buildings, event venues, and other specific locations. It also eliminates administrative fines for violations related to campus carry and allows institutions to seek damages if harmed by firearm-related incidents. This bill directly affects public postsecondary institutions and licensed firearm carriers, changing the legal landscape for concealed carry on these campuses.
HB 1264 prohibits the use of six specific food dyes - red dye 3, red dye 40, yellow dye 5, yellow dye 6, blue dye 1, and blue dye 2 - in food products sold in Oklahoma. The bill amends Oklahoma’s food safety statute to classify these dyes as unsafe additives, making any food containing them adulterated under state law. This directly affects food manufacturers, processors, and retailers who produce or sell products containing these dyes. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025.
HB 1260 prohibits merchants from adding surcharges or passing on processing fees for credit or debit card payments, requiring them to instead offer discounts for cash or check payments. It mandates that any fee charged for card use must appear as a separate line item on receipts. The bill allows exceptions for private schools, municipalities, and public trusts to charge limited fees covering actual processing costs, but only for online or in-person transactions. These provisions apply to all Oklahoma businesses selling consumer credit, with the law taking effect November 1, 2025.
