HB 2997 increases the maximum administrative fine for used motor vehicle license applicants who knowingly make false statements from $1,000 to $10,000. It directly affects individuals and businesses applying for or holding motor vehicle sales licenses in Oklahoma. The bill amends Section 585D of Oklahoma Statutes to raise this fine limit, while maintaining existing $100 maximum fines for dealer violations like failing to deliver title documents. The change takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3405 designates poison hemlock and kudzu as noxious weeds in Oklahoma, requiring all landowners (public and private) to treat or remove these plants annually to prevent seeding. It mandates county entities and the Department of Transportation to manage infestations in rights-of-way, with landowners facing fines up to $1,000 per day for noncompliance. The bill requires the State Department of Agriculture to conduct annual surveys of infestations, report results to Oklahoma State University, and publish public notices in newspapers about landowner responsibilities. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and includes provisions for landowners to request assistance with weed removal.
HB 4280 increases annual funding for Oklahoma's Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund (ROADS Fund) to support road and bridge construction and maintenance. It sets specific annual funding levels: $575 million for fiscal year 2021, $590 million for 2022, $610 million for 2025, and $670 million starting in 2026. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to use these funds first for debt payments on highway obligations, then for road/bridge construction, maintenance, and matching federal funds. The legislation directly affects Oklahoma's highway infrastructure and the DOT's budget allocation process, with funding adjustments triggered by revenue shortfalls.
HB 1822 requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create a program for identifying, removing, and managing invasive woody species (like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar) within transportation rights-of-way. The program mandates surveys, prioritized removal plans, eco-friendly removal methods to protect native plants and soil, ongoing monitoring, and collaboration with other agencies. This directly affects ODOT’s operations and land adjacent to state roads. The bill would have taken effect November 1, 2025, but died in conference on May 30, 2025. (Note: The bill’s title references transportation but focuses on environmental management within road corridors.)
HB 2758 creates the "Preserving and Advancing County Transportation Fund" (PACT Fund) to allocate oil and gas tax revenues directly to Oklahoma counties for road and bridge maintenance. The fund prioritizes counties with the lowest current road maintenance funding, directing two-thirds of its money to help all counties reach a $4,000 per road mile target for highway upkeep. The remaining one-third is split equally between funding road miles based on statewide totals and allocating funds for county bridges using the most recent ODOT bridge inventory data. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma counties by providing a dedicated, ongoing source of funding for their local road and bridge systems.
HB 2263 prohibits using cellular telephones or electronic devices while driving on specific road segments, directly affecting drivers who use phones in those areas. The bill removes the previous exception for zones where workers are present and changes the effective date to November 1, 2025 (from July 1, 2026). It establishes penalties for violations and allows municipalities to enforce stricter local ordinances. The law applies to all road segments designated under the bill, not limited to construction zones.
SB 562 strengthens Oklahoma's Bus Passenger Safety Act by expanding criminal penalties for violence targeting buses and passengers. It defines "bus" broadly to include vans, railcars, and other public transit vehicles, and makes it a felony to seize control of any bus (up to 20 years in prison), intimidate drivers/passengers (up to 10 years), or use deadly weapons during such acts (up to 20 years). The bill also prohibits discharging firearms in buses or terminals without valid self-defense justification (up to 5 years). These provisions directly affect bus passengers, drivers, and transit staff by increasing legal consequences for threats and violence against them.
HB 1419 defines "street-legal utility vehicles" in Oklahoma law as motor vehicles meeting specific safety and performance standards (e.g., 400cc+ engine, safety belts, 50 mph capability). It requires these vehicles to be registered as motor vehicles but exempts operators from needing an "M" license endorsement. The bill allows registered street-legal utility vehicles to operate on U.S. Highways in counties with populations under 75,000 (per 2020 census), excluding interstate highways. This law, effective November 1, 2025, modifies existing restrictions on utility vehicles and minibikes.
SB 375 amends Oklahoma statutes governing construction management for transportation projects, affecting the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. It requires these agencies to compile and maintain a list of qualified construction managers and design consultants, mandating specific disclosures about project scope, costs, funding, and construction inspector arrangements. The bill establishes standardized evaluation criteria for selecting consultants based on qualifications, capacity, past performance, and Oklahoma resident workforce participation. It also creates a committee to rank candidates and allows for "demand services contracts" for on-demand consultant needs. This bill became law on May 14, 2025, without the Governor's signature.
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.
