HB 3378 modifies the term lengths for members of Oklahoma's Science and Technology Research and Development Board. Starting June 30, 2026, two Governor-appointed members, one Senate-appointed member, and one House-appointed member will serve two-year terms instead of the standard four-year terms, with all positions reverting to four-year terms after the initial two-year period. The bill does not change the board's composition (nine members total), appointment requirements, or responsibilities, which include overseeing science and technology initiatives. This adjustment applies only to specific board members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker.
HB 3429 creates a $50 million Career Technology Business Partnership Pool to finance economic development projects in Oklahoma. It allows career technology districts (vocational schools) to partner with for-profit businesses, using pooled financing for projects that meet workforce needs. Key requirements include adding financial literacy courses to district curricula, prohibiting districts from having outstanding debt while using the program, and ending eligibility after June 30, 2032. The pool is managed by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, with bonds potentially issued tax-exempt under federal law.
HB 3645 amends Oklahoma's hospice care requirements to expand eligibility determination options when patients lack legal representatives. It allows hospice admission decisions by a licensed long-term care administrator (with 6 months oversight and two physician approvals), two physicians reviewing medical history, or a primary care physician managing care for six months. The bill maintains existing standards like 24/7 care, bereavement programs, and prohibitions on improper patient solicitation. It directly affects hospice providers and patients without appointed guardians, ensuring timely access to hospice services under defined criteria.
HB 3852 changes Oklahoma's process for appointing election precinct officials (inspectors, judges, and clerks). It shortens their terms from four to two years and requires county election boards to appoint these officials every two years, using nominee lists submitted by the top two political parties in the county. County central committees must provide lists equal to twice the number of precincts by June 15 after a gubernatorial election, with appointments finalized by July 1. The bill affects county election boards and precinct staff, taking effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3969 names the Charles E. "Bill" Johnson Correctional Center in Alva as a new facility within Oklahoma's state prison system. It amends existing law to add this facility to the official list of correctional centers managed by the Department of Corrections, effective November 1, 2026. The bill does not change policies, funding, or operations - it solely provides a formal name for this specific facility.
HB 3657 amends Oklahoma's definition of "employment" in the Labor Act, primarily affecting agricultural workers, crew leaders, and domestic workers. It clarifies that agricultural workers become covered employees if their employer paid $20,000+ in cash wages during a calendar year or employed 10+ workers for 20 weeks. The bill also defines "crew leaders" (who supply farm laborers) and specifies when they or the farm operator are treated as employers. Additionally, it updates domestic service coverage to require $1,000+ in quarterly cash wages for workers to be considered employees. The bill is proposed for the 2026 legislative session.
HB 3974 modifies Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act to limit lawsuits against state, city, or county governments for housing federal inmates or inmates from other states in facilities run by private prison contractors. It removes immunity for governments or public trusts (where the sole beneficiary is a city/town/county) that house such inmates, and limits lawsuits to the specific government entity that placed an inmate in shared housing facilities. This bill directly affects counties, cities, and private prison contractors by clarifying which entities can be sued regarding inmate housing conditions. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3624 repeals Section 36 of Title 19, Oklahoma Statutes (2021), which previously governed watercourse bounding counties and taxable situs of property. The bill has no new provisions - it only removes the existing statute. It will take effect on November 1, 2026. Since the bill text does not describe the content of the repealed section, its specific impacts or affected parties cannot be detailed from the provided context.
HB 3790 creates a five-day cancellation period for homeowners who sign home repair contracts during in-person solicitation at their residence. It directly affects homeowners who agree to repair services after a contractor visits their home, allowing them to cancel the contract by providing written notice to the contractor within five calendar days of signing. The bill defines "home solicitation contract" to exclude pre-existing agreements or contracts made at a business location, and specifies that cancellation notice can be mailed or written in any form indicating the homeowner's intent to cancel. This law applies only to new contracts signed during in-home solicitation and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3648 amends Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act by clarifying key definitions, primarily expanding who qualifies as a "government employee" for liability purposes. It specifically adds new categories like "charitable health care provider" and "community health care provider" (including federally qualified health centers), while detailing that certain medical professionals - such as physicians in administrative roles at state universities, mental health staff under contract with state agencies, and those treating inmates - count as state employees under the Act. These changes directly affect healthcare providers and state entities by determining which actions may trigger tort claims against the government. The bill makes no new policy provisions but refines existing legal definitions to clarify liability boundaries.
This Oklahoma bill expands legal protections for volunteers and employees of charitable organizations by granting them immunity from civil lawsuits when they act in good faith within their official duties, provided their actions do not involve gross negligence or willful misconduct. It specifically creates a reporting mechanism that shields volunteers and organizations from liability when they disclose sexually inappropriate conduct involving minors, as long as they report the incident to law enforcement and the Department of Human Services within 24 hours and act in good faith. The legislation also clarifies that immunity does not apply when an individual discloses their own misconduct and establishes a presumption of good faith if organizations follow their own reporting policies. Additionally, the bill extends liability protections to donors of emergency service equipment used by volunteers and sets an effective date of November 1, 2026.
HB 4343 sets a fixed $350 payment for property appraisers and commissioners appointed by district courts in condemnation or escheat cases, plus reimbursement for expenses determined by the judge. It directly affects appraisers and commissioners handling these specific court proceedings. The bill amends Oklahoma law to establish this compensation rate, effective November 1, 2026.
