All Roll Calls
Yes: 108 • No: 7
OklahomaSB 1168Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate
The Governmental Tort Claims Act; definitions and extent of liability; increasing limits on liability for certain claims. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Chuck Hall (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Higher payout caps for government claims
Beginning November 1, 2025, the law raises how much you can recover in claims against Oklahoma government. Property-loss claims rise from $25,000 to $75,000 per incident. Other non‑property losses rise to $250,000, or $375,000 when the claim is against the state or a city or county with 150,000+ people. For medical negligence at University Hospitals or state mental health hospitals, the cap is $300,000. The cap for resident physicians and interns in the named training programs is $150,000. Starting January 1, 2031, these caps adjust for inflation every five years by the smaller of the CPI change or 4%.
More public bodies covered, same legal limits
Beginning November 1, 2025, more entities count as "political subdivisions" under the Governmental Tort Claims Act, including many local and special‑purpose bodies and regional transportation authorities (plus their contract operators and railroads for passenger rail service). The law also broadens who counts as an "employee," covering authorized agents, some doctors and medical staff in certain programs, firefighters on duty, certain transport contractors while driving, and state military on active duty. It clarifies who qualifies as charitable and community health care providers, including volunteers at federally qualified health centers and look‑alikes. Buying commercial liability insurance does not waive the Act’s caps, immunities, or defenses for the listed public entities.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Chuck Hall
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
John Haste
Republican • Senate
John Kane
Republican • House
Trey Caldwell
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/22/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 85 • No: 1
Senate vote • 5/20/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/19/2025
Emergency
Yes: 23 • No: 6
Senate vote • 5/19/2025
Emergency
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/27/2025
5/28/2025SenateSent to Governor
5/22/2025SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/22/2025HouseEnrolled, to House
5/22/2025SenateReferred for enrollment
5/22/2025SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/22/2025HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 85 Nays: 1
5/22/2025HouseJCR adopted
5/22/2025HouseGeneral Order
5/22/2025HouseSecond Reading, direct to Joint Calendar
5/21/2025HouseFirst Reading
5/20/2025HouseEngrossed to House
5/20/2025SenateReferred for engrossment
5/20/2025SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 0
5/20/2025SenateJCR adopted
5/20/2025SenateEmergency removed
5/19/2025SenateReported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget committee; JCR filed
5/19/2025SenateSecond Reading referred to Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget
4/2/2025SenateCoauthored by Representative Kane
3/31/2025SenateCoauthored by Representative Caldwell (Trey) (principal House author)
3/31/2025SenateCoauthored by Senator Haste
3/31/2025SenateAuthored by Senator Hall
3/31/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/31/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/22/2025
Floor (House)
5/22/2025
Engrossed
5/20/2025
Senate Joint Committee Report
5/20/2025
Introduced
3/31/2025
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