OklahomaHB 2164Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Public corruption; crimes against state revenue; modifying punishment for certain offense; establishing elements of certain offense; prohibiting certain acts upon conviction of certain offense; effective date.

Sponsored By: John Pfeiffer (Republican)

Became Law

Senate Committee

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Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.

New agency heads must complete ethics training

Beginning January 1, 2027, first-time elected or appointed heads of covered Oklahoma state entities must complete ethics training. They must take an Ethics Commission-directed course within one year after taking the oath of office. Missing the deadline ends their tenure at the next scheduled governing-body meeting after that one-year anniversary. The Ethics Commission issues completion certificates and keeps completion records.

Public officers face conflicted contract penalties

Beginning November 1, 2025, Oklahoma public officers face felony penalties for gaining an interest in deals they handle. This covers direct or indirect interests in sales, leases, or contracts they officially make, approve, negotiate, or authorize. Violations are grounds for removal from office or termination from state employment; conviction bars the officer from Oklahoma public office. Exceptions cover municipal officers under separate conflict rules and conservation district board members participating in legally authorized programs.

Public officers face expanded removal grounds

Beginning November 1, 2025, Oklahoma expands removal grounds for public officers who are not subject to impeachment. For state officers, neglect includes knowingly giving false legislative testimony or knowingly acting beyond an agency's authority. It also includes repeatedly failing to provide requested legislative information within 15 business days, unless a written agreement extends the deadline. Using public office to obtain or seek a personal benefit, profit, or perk counts as corruption. These grounds apply alongside other legal removal methods.

State insiders face information misuse penalties

Beginning November 1, 2025, corrupt misuse of nonpublic Oklahoma agency information is a felony. The rule covers current and former officers, workers, and contractors who obtained the information through government service. It covers personal gain, specified financial uses, unauthorized disclosure, and helping another person commit the misuse. Conviction carries up to $10,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, or both, plus bans on Oklahoma public office and state contracts. Violations are also grounds for removal from office or termination from state employment.

State officials face stricter conflict rules

Beginning November 1, 2025, Oklahoma state officers and agency workers cannot take part in matters involving covered private financial interests. These include their own interests, an immediate family member's interests, or those of a linked nongovernment entity. An exception applies when the interest is affected no differently than the public or a covered business, professional, occupational, or large group. Knowing and willful violations carry up to $10,000 in fines, one to ten years in prison, or both. They also bar public office, make affected deals void, and are grounds for removal or termination. Officials called on to act must file a certified conflict statement within 30 days of awareness or before acting, whichever comes first. Statements go to the required recipient and are open to public review; elected officers and agency heads must also disclose to their governing body's presiding officer. That officer must put the statement in meeting minutes and require the official to step aside from the matter. Knowing and willful disclosure or recusal violations carry up to $1,000 in fines, one year in county jail, or both.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

John Pfeiffer
Republican • House

Cosponsors

John Haste
Republican • Senate
Julia Kirt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 378 • No: 2

Senate vote • 5/29/2025

OVERRIDE

Yes: 43 • No: 2

House vote • 5/29/2025

OVERRIDE

Yes: 88 • No: 0

House vote • 5/21/2025

FOURTH READING

Yes: 89 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/6/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 44 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Committee vote: Judiciary

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 3/11/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 88 • No: 0

House vote • 2/27/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2025