OklahomaHB 4237Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Criminal procedure; court costs and fees; requiring courts to offer certain hearing; cost waiver or reduction exceptions; determinations; effective date.

Sponsored By: Chris Kannady (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Cost hearings, waivers, and income shields

Beginning November 1, 2026, courts must offer a cost hearing at or after sentencing. You pay no fee to ask for this hearing or for the summons. Judges must decide what you can reasonably pay and use set factors. They cannot count child support, need-based or disability benefits, or exempt assets as income. People who are totally disabled, receive TANF, SNAP, WIC, subsidized housing, or have income under 150% of poverty are presumed unable to pay. If you cannot pay, courts can waive or reduce amounts. Any reduction must cut all non‑restitution fines, fees, costs, and assessments by the same percent. Restitution is not reduced.

Delinquency checks, hearing deadlines, and privacy

Beginning November 1, 2026, clerks review cases for delinquency at least every six months. When delinquent, the court sets a cost hearing within 45 days and mails a summons at least 14 days before. You are not charged an extra fee for the summons. Courts must use the court cost compliance program and refer cases within 60 days unless you pay or have a plan. Courts also send updated contact information to the program. Financial documents used for cost or willfulness hearings are not viewable on court websites.

Less jail risk for court debt

Beginning November 1, 2026, if police find a cost cite‑and‑release warrant, they must give you a notice, not arrest you. If you see the clerk within 10 days, the court sets a hearing and recalls the warrant. If you do not, the court can issue a cost arrest warrant. After arrest on a cost warrant, release is required after 72 hours. You can leave earlier by showing $100 paid to each jurisdiction you owe. Old unserved warrants are treated as cite‑and‑release. Judges may jail for willful nonpayment only after a recorded hearing and with a lawyer or a clear waiver.

Payment plans, community service, and check-in

Beginning November 1, 2026, courts tell you your total court costs and your right to a cost hearing. After sentencing, you must see the clerk to give contact details and choose payment or ask for a hearing. If you do not, the court can make the full amount due in 30 days. Courts may allow payment in full, installments, incentives, or community service. Each community service hour gives at least two times the state minimum wage in credit.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Chris Kannady
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Todd Gollihare
Republican • Senate
Anthony Moore
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 312 • No: 40

House vote • 5/5/2026

FOURTH READING

Yes: 77 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/29/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 37 • No: 8

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

Committee vote: Judiciary

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/21/2026

Top_of_Page

Yes: 0 • No: 1

House vote • 3/26/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 86 • No: 9