HB 3665 prohibits the use of motorized vessels with engines over 10 horsepower on the Lower Mountain Fork River between the dam and Wild Goose Road. This law directly affects recreational boaters and river users in that specific section, effective November 1, 2026. Exceptions include law enforcement, emergency services, government operations, and vessels protected by federal law or tribal treaty rights. The bill aims to regulate motorized activity in this river segment without restricting authorized public safety or governmental use.
SB 1861 requires Oklahoma's Corporation Commission and Department of Transportation to implement advanced detection systems at "extra hazardous" railroad crossings. These systems use sensors and AI to detect objects, analyze safety risks in real time, and send alerts to train crews. The bill appropriates $5 million from the Oklahoma Railroad Maintenance Revolving Fund to support rail operators in installing these systems by 2028. It mandates a report by December 2028 detailing hazard detection, alerts issued, and safety improvements at these specific crossings.
HB 3451 modifies the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's (OTA) authorized locations for constructing and operating specific turnpikes, updating existing routes and adding new sections like the Oklahoma City Outer Loop and Tulsa south bypass. It directly affects the OTA, which manages these toll roads, and drivers using the modified routes. Key provisions include updating the statutory list of permitted turnpike locations, requiring the OTA to publish meeting notices on its website, and authorizing specific tollgate placements (e.g., on the Will Rogers Turnpike near Quapaw). The bill does not create new turnpikes but adjusts where existing or planned infrastructure can be built.
SB 2155 allows Oklahoma municipalities to consider the competitiveness of their development fee schedules when setting or raising fees for new construction or expansions. It clarifies that cities are not required to keep fees uniform across jurisdictions and mandates periodic reviews of these fee schedules. The bill requires that fees directly match the cost of new infrastructure capacity (like water, roads, or storm systems) generated by development, cannot fund maintenance of existing systems, and must be proportionate to the actual impact. This affects developers and local governments by changing how municipalities calculate and adjust fees tied to new growth.
HB 3595 creates a permanent "Safer Counties Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury, managed by the Department of Public Safety. This fund, financed by existing legislative appropriations to the Department, provides grants to all Oklahoma counties to purchase public safety and traffic barrier equipment. Counties must use these funds solely for public safety purposes and cannot divert them to other uses. The fund operates without annual budget restrictions, allowing ongoing disbursements for safety equipment purchases.
SB 2119 creates the "Preserving and Advancing County Transportation Fund" (PACT Fund) to distribute state transportation funds to Oklahoma counties. It directs 2/3 of the funds to counties based on population, traffic volume, military impacts, road mileage needs, and current highway maintenance ratios (aiming for $4,000 per county road mile), while the remaining 1/3 is split between road mileage (50%) and bridge counts (50%). An additional 1/3 of the fund specifically targets reconstruction of county bridges on major collector routes, evaluated on safety, structural condition, and public need. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and affects all Oklahoma counties receiving transportation funding.
HB 3748 amends Oklahoma county commissioners' powers to include new provisions for county employee education and highway management. It establishes a tuition reimbursement program for county employees who maintain A/B grades in approved courses, requiring a one-year service commitment after participation. The bill also modifies highway relocation procedures, requiring institutions (like four-year universities) to notify county commissioners in writing and hold public hearings before altering highways adjacent to their property. These changes directly affect county employees seeking professional development and institutions managing land adjacent to public roads. The bill does not alter existing funding or create new taxes.
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 3297 requires highway remediation and cleanup companies operating in Oklahoma to maintain $3 million in liability insurance with pollution coverage, including completed operations coverage. It mandates these companies publish a clear, annual price list online for their top 50 frequently billed services, including standard charges and surcharges. The bill also establishes a lien system allowing companies to claim payment for nonconsensual roadside cleanup services, requiring written notice within 10 days and formal filing within 30 days to enforce the lien. Additionally, it amends towing fee rules to align with existing Corporation Commission rate structures for wrecker services.
HB 3695 amends Oklahoma's definition of "great bodily injury" in motor vehicle laws to explicitly include bone fractures, disfigurement, loss of body function, or serious risk of death. It increases penalties for drivers causing such injuries while violating traffic laws: first offenses become misdemeanors (90 days-1 year jail, up to $2,500 fine), and repeat offenses or causing "great bodily injury" become Class B1 felonies (4-20 years prison, up to $5,000 fine). The bill directly affects drivers convicted of traffic violations resulting in severe injuries. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
