All Roll Calls
Yes: 144 • No: 5
OklahomaHB 3499Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouse
Courts; jurisdiction of special judges; applications for court orders to issue titles; effective date.
Sponsored By: Collin Duel (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Family and probate use special judges
Beginning November 1, 2026, special judges can hear any matter in probate, divorce, custody, support, guardianship, conservatorship, mental health, juvenile, adoption, or death‑determination cases. They can hear these cases at any stage and for any dollar amount. Nonlawyer special judges cannot hear these matters.
More civil cases before special judges
Beginning November 1, 2026, special judges can hear money claims up to $10,000, with counterclaims up to $10,000. They can handle replevin cases up to $10,000; a nonlawyer judge cannot hear replevin over $1,000. They can hear evictions and possession disputes; a nonlawyer judge cannot hear them if land title or a boundary fight is involved. They can decide all uncontested matters, but a nonlawyer judge cannot enter an uncontested money judgment over $1,000. They can also handle any post‑judgment collection matter, with no dollar limit.
Special judges handle more criminal and emergency orders
Beginning November 1, 2026, special judges can handle misdemeanor cases. A nonlawyer judge cannot hear a misdemeanor that carries over a $200 fine or more than 30 days in county jail, unless every party gives written consent. Special judges can hear second or later DUI felonies, but not if the judge is a nonlawyer. They can issue writs of habeas corpus and, when no district or associate district judge is available or is disqualified, issue temporary injunctions or restraining orders; these powers do not apply to nonlawyer judges. A special judge can also perform magistrate duties in criminal cases. Special judges may hear youthful offender cases under the Youthful Offender Act.
Court help to issue or fix property titles
Beginning November 1, 2026, special judges can hear applications to issue, reissue, correct, or replace titles. This covers motor vehicles, manufactured homes, vessels, and other titled property. The judge can enter any orders needed to carry out the title issuance.
Drivers can appeal revocations to special judges
Beginning November 1, 2026, a special judge can hear your appeal from a Department of Public Safety order that revokes your driver’s license. A nonlawyer special judge cannot hear these appeals.
More ways to use special judges
Beginning November 1, 2026, parties can agree in writing before trial to have a special judge hear their case, even if court rules say otherwise. Special judges can also serve as referees in any matter before the district court.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Collin Duel
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brent Howard
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 43 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2026
Committee vote: Judiciary
Yes: 7 • No: 0
House vote • 3/10/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 84 • No: 5
House vote • 2/24/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 10 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/05/2026
5/5/2026HouseSent to Governor
4/29/2026HouseEnrolled measure signed, returned to House
4/29/2026SenateEnrolled, signed, to Senate
4/29/2026HouseReferred for enrollment
4/29/2026HouseEngrossed measure signed, returned to House
4/29/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 43 Nays: 0
4/29/2026SenateGeneral Order, Considered
4/29/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
4/9/2026SenateReported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
4/7/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Judiciary
4/1/2026SenateFirst Reading
3/11/2026SenateEngrossed, signed, to Senate
3/11/2026HouseReferred for engrossment
3/10/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 84 Nays: 5
3/10/2026HouseAuthored by Senator Howard (principal Senate author)
3/10/2026HouseGeneral Order
3/10/2026HouseCR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Rules Committee
2/25/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Rules
2/3/2026HouseAuthored by Representative Duel
2/2/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/2/2026House
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
4/29/2026
Floor (Senate)
4/8/2026
Senate Committee Report
4/7/2026
Engrossed
3/11/2026
Floor (House)
3/2/2026
House Committee Report
2/25/2026
House Committee Substitute
2/25/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026
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