SB 730 requires Oklahoma's Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics to develop a five-year Airport Construction Program and a statewide airport system plan, which will guide funding for airport infrastructure. The system plan must include all airports eligible for state funding and prioritize safety, economic growth, and FAA standards. It also updates the AeroSPACE Program, a partnership between schools and the aviation industry to create aerospace career pathways for students. These changes directly affect public airports seeking state funding and educational institutions participating in the workforce development initiative.
HB 2297 requires Oklahoma's Service Oklahoma to establish a driver license reciprocity agreement with Ireland. The agreement must ensure Irish driver license standards meet Oklahoma's requirements and mandate that Irish drivers comply with Oklahoma's mandatory auto insurance laws. This directly affects Irish residents operating vehicles in Oklahoma under the agreement. The bill became law on May 8, 2025, with no Governor's signature needed.
HB 2266 updates Oklahoma's aerospace regulations by clarifying key terms (like "vertiport" for drone air taxi hubs and "VTOL aircraft") and revising permit requirements for structures near airports. It modifies the radius zones requiring permits based on airport type (public, military, heliport) and runway length, while adding new safety considerations for permit decisions. The bill also designates the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics as the state's official clearinghouse for drone (UAS) and advanced air mobility (eVTOL) operations. These changes directly affect developers, property owners, and airport authorities in areas near aviation facilities. The bill is currently pending in the Aeronautics and Transportation committee.
HB 2126, the "Shelby Johnson and Logan Deardorff Act of 2025," requires physicians and patients to report medical conditions causing momentary lapses of consciousness (like seizures or mental conditions) that could impair driving ability to Oklahoma's Service Oklahoma. This directly affects drivers diagnosed with such conditions and their healthcare providers, who must submit written reports. The bill ensures these reports are not public records and can only be used in driver's license revocation or denial cases, while granting immunity to reporters acting in good faith. It modifies existing law to clarify reporting requirements and legal protections for those involved.
HB 2026 expands Oklahoma's existing Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program to fund additional aeronautics technology projects. The bill directly affects Oklahoma-based companies and research entities developing aircraft engine testing capabilities by providing state grant funding. Key provisions include broadening the program's eligible activities beyond current scope to support new engine testing development initiatives. The bill takes effect immediately upon approval with an emergency designation, as approved by the Oklahoma House on March 5, 2025.
HB 2603 transfers enforcement authority for Oklahoma's motor carrier safety regulations - from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to the Department of Public Safety - effective July 2026. This change affects commercial trucking companies and drivers by shifting oversight of safety rules, weigh station inspections, and permit enforcement to the Department of Public Safety. The bill creates a 12-month transition period (July 2026-June 2027) with a task force to coordinate the transfer of personnel, property, and responsibilities. Key provisions include requiring the Department of Public Safety to assume full enforcement authority over specific statutes related to motor carrier operations, permits, and safety compliance. The goal is to create a more unified enforcement approach for public safety in the commercial transportation sector.
HB 1132 creates Oklahoma's Industrial Access Improvement Grant Program, providing state funding for infrastructure projects that enhance industrial site accessibility. It directly affects eligible municipalities with populations over 750,000 (per the 2020 Census), requiring the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to administer grants for roadway expansions, bridge upgrades, freight corridor improvements, and other access-related construction. The bill establishes a revolving fund in the state treasury to support these grants, mandates an application process with project descriptions and local matching requirements, and requires the Department to allocate funds based on project merit. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025.
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.
