Legislation to Watch

House Bill 2125, Authored by Representative Swope (D-Tulsa)

House Bill 2191, Authored by Representative Kevin West (R-Moore)

Title 27, Section 5 – Amendatory to change what direct delegations of the state can condemn lands for: public “purposes” has been changed to public “uses.” New Law. Adds language into the statute for how eminent domain would work for abandoned and blighted property. Adds language explaining that “the public purpose or public benefit of economic development, including an increase in tax base, tax revenues, employment, or general economic health, does not constitute a public use.” Also adds in language protecting the citizens and asking the courts to construe eminent domain statutes in favor of the property owner and against the condemning authority. Judiciary Comm. Passed committee as amended 2/16

House Bill 2262, Authored by Representative Sterling (R-Tecumseh)

Title 69, Section 1705(e) – Amendatory. Prior to legislative authorization, feasibility studies must be conducted. Sunset existing location authorizations unless construction has occurred within five years. Transportation Comm.

House Bill 2263, Authored by Representative Sterling (R-Tecumseh)

Title 69, Section 1703 – Amendatory. Changing the board membership appointment process by requiring two appointed by Governor (Districts 1,2), two by Speaker of the House (Districts 3,4), two by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate (Districts 5,6). The board term is changed from 8 years to 6 years. Adds language discussing conflicts-of-interest and prohibiting members from voting on issues where they may have direct financial interest. Transportation Comm. Passed committee as amended 2/14

House Bill 2264, Authored by Representative Sterling (R-Tecumseh)

Title 69, Sections 1705 & 1718 – Amendatory. Bonds can only be granted after review of reliable, data-driven transportation planning and public policy studies, and appropriate public notice and input. Prior to filing an application for approval of any bond issue with the Council of Bond Oversight, or prior to the issuance of any bonds, the OTA is required to notify and obtain express approval of any municipality, county, federal or state agency affected by the project. OTA is required to provide actual notice via certified mail to all real property owners within one mile in any direction of the routes and conduct public meetings to present, review and receive public comment. Any studies conducted to provide the justification or impacts, must be conducted in such a way to limit the conflicts-of-interest between the consulting firms providing the justifications and the engineering firms performing the work. All studies must be reviewed by an independent body. Transportation Comm.

House Bill 2606, Authored by Representative Humphrey (R-Lane)

Title 69 – New Law. Section 1737. Requires the OTA to create a route map of the proposed project that shall list all affected landowners that will be used for the purpose of calling a special election, where the voting pool for the special election shall consist only of landowners whose properties are affected. Rules Comm.

House Bill 2728, Authored by Representative Menz (D-Norman)

Title 69, Section 1718 – Amendatory. Requires real notice of the intent to ask for bond validation at either the Council for Bond Oversight or the Supreme Court via certified mail to real property owners within a 1-mile radius of proposed project at least 10 days prior to hearing. Transportation Comm.

House Bill 2729, Authored by Representative Menz (D-Norman)

Title 74, Section 213 – Amendatory. Requiring State Audit and Inspector to perform and complete a special audit of the OTA prior to December 2023. General Government Comm.

House Bill 2730, Authored by Representative Menz (D-Norman)

Title 51, Section 24A.5 – Requiring public bodies to respond to open record requests within a 30-day timeline. General Government Comm. Passed committee as amended 3/1