HB 1914 requires railroads operating in Oklahoma on main or branch lines to carry physical copies of key safety documents, including a freight manifest, emergency response guide, and Federal Railroad Administration safety certification, for all trains. It mandates that conductors, engineers, and railroad staff must have tangible, non-electronic identification documents on hand during operations. Violations incur daily civil penalties of $2,500-$10,000, with potential fines up to $250,000 for gross negligence causing harm. The law, effective November 1, 2025, applies directly to railroads and their operating personnel within Oklahoma.
SB 75 requires railroad operators in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (such as engineers or conductors) aboard freight trains while they are in motion. It excludes passenger/tourism trains, slow-moving trains (under 30 mph outside yards), helper service, hostler service, and low-speed loading/unloading. Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeat offenses within three years. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all freight rail operations within the state.
SB 20, the Oklahoma Secure Roads and Safe Trucking Act of 2025, creates a restricted commercial driver license for workers in specific farm-related industries, including farm retail, custom harvesting, livestock feeding, and agri-chemical businesses. To qualify, drivers must have held a regular license for at least one year, maintain a clean driving record (no suspensions or serious violations), and operate within 150 miles of their farm business, limited to Class B or C vehicles. The license also restricts transport of hazardous materials to specific quantities, such as diesel fuel (1,000 gallons or less) or liquid fertilizer (3,000 gallons or less), while prohibiting other placarded hazardous materials. This law directly affects commercial drivers in Oklahoma’s agricultural sector by establishing clear operational boundaries for these restricted licenses.
SB 340 requires railroad operators transporting freight in Oklahoma to carry physical copies of three specific items aboard every train: the cargo manifest, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook, and crew qualification identification cards. This applies directly to all railroad companies operating freight trains within the state. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $5,000 for a second offense within three years, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025, and authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to issue citations for noncompliance.
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.
