OklahomaHB 3416Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouse

Counties and county officers; county purchasing; soliciting quotes; operations; effective date.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

13 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Auction buys and using sale money

For public auction buys, the county uses signed, certified four‑part purchase orders handled by the clerk. A county may also use its auction sale proceeds to buy pre‑listed needed items at that same auction.

County buyer rules and quick start

The county purchasing agent is the main buyer for county offices. The agent can buy for other local boards if those boards approve. The agent must start the bid process within two working days after a requisition arrives. Only a county officer or up to two named designees can sign a requisition. Nonemployee fire‑group designees must have bond or dishonesty insurance, and all designations are filed with the clerk.

Emergency buying powers and $5,000 cap

If the Governor declares a county emergency, the district attorney may temporarily waive bidding to speed response. Beginning November 1, 2026, a county officer may approve an emergency purchase up to $5,000 with a written explanation attached to the order.

Fair bid notices and backup steps

Bid notices must be sent and published at least 10 days before opening and must say if written or electronic bids are accepted. If no bids arrive, the buyer must record at least three current quotes or file a memo if three are not available, then buy the lowest and best. If the low bidder cannot perform, the county may get new quotes or move to the next lowest and best bidder.

More ways to buy without bidding

Counties can use statewide, national, and multi‑county contracts to get lower prices. They may buy the same item from a local seller at or below state or GSA prices. Counties can buy from state agencies and other governments. Single‑source items, maintenance bought with equipment, blanket purchase orders, and leases within the bid limit do not need bidding. For road or bridge work, materials priced $7 or less per yard or per ton are exempt from bids.

Most changes start November 1, 2026

The law takes effect November 1, 2026. Most changes start that day.

Purchase cards and 12-month bids

Beginning November 1, 2026, counties may use the state purchase card program. Cardholders must sign an agreement and complete required training, and purchases are published with warrants. Counties can also use a 12‑month bidding process for road and bridge materials and services.

Repair and lease rules for equipment

Repairs up to $10,000 need estimates and a purchase order; larger repairs use a blanket purchase order. For heavy equipment over 10,000 pounds, this estimate‑and‑order path applies up to $30,000. Counties may lease road machinery for up to one year after bidding and only within the current year’s appropriation; renewals need funds and the State Auditor is notified before signing.

Road reports, equipment disposal, inventory

Beginning November 1, 2026, counties file quarterly reports on road and bridge consumables with date, place, and purpose. Each bridge must be numbered. To dispose of equipment that originally cost over $500, an officer must submit a disposal resolution and get the board’s recorded approval. Inventory records must be kept at least two years after audits and any related cases end.

Special rules for fuel, food, roads

Before buying fuel, the county must get at least three quotes and pick the lowest and best. In counties over 100,000 people, jail food must be bid or fully quoted as a total and awarded to the lowest and best. For processed native road materials, the county may accept all bids and choose based on price, availability, and transport cost.

Contract reference and old rule repealed

Beginning November 1, 2026, county construction contracts that are not road or bridge work must cite Section 103(A) of Title 61. Also on that date, Section 1801 of Title 19 is repealed, ending those old reverse‑auction bidding rules.

Small buys ok up to $25,000

Departments can buy without formal bidding when the total is $25,000 or less on one purchase order. Splitting orders to dodge the limit is illegal. A violation is a misdemeanor and can lead to removal from office.

Tighter purchase orders, receiving, and payments

Beginning November 1, 2026, purchase orders must be prepared, numbered, signed by the buyer, and certified and encumbered by the county clerk. A receiving officer must confirm an order exists, refuse delivery without one, and file a detailed receiving report. The clerk pays only when the requisition, order, invoice with noncollusion affidavit, receiving report, and delivery papers all match. The board must act on filed purchase orders, and any not acted on within 75 days are treated as disallowed but may be refiled.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Judd Strom
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Jerry Alvord
Republican • Senate
Nick Archer
Republican • House
Mark Chapman
Republican • House
Denise Crosswhite Hader
Republican • House
Mike Dobrinski
Republican • House
Andy Fugate
Democratic • House
Brian Hill
Republican • House
Josh West
Republican • House
Mike Kelley
Republican • House
Gerrid Kendrix
Republican • House
Michelle McCane
Democratic • House
Annie Menz
Democratic • House
Preston Stinson
Republican • House
Max Wolfley
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 163 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/28/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 42 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 0 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/7/2026

Committee vote: Local & County Government

Yes: 7 • No: 1

House vote • 3/24/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 92 • No: 2

House vote • 3/5/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 16 • No: 0

House vote • 2/11/2026