All Roll Calls
Yes: 111 • No: 31
OklahomaSB 1827Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
Governmental Tort Claims Act; modifying definitions. Effective date.
Sponsored By: Brent Howard (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 4 costs, 0 mixed.
More local entities get lawsuit limits
Beginning November 1, 2026, more local bodies count as political subdivisions under the Governmental Tort Claims Act, including many districts, public trusts, hospitals, and regional transportation authorities (with certain contract operators and railroads tied to their services). Buying commercial liability insurance does not waive the law’s liability limits and defenses.
More people count as government employees
Beginning November 1, 2026, anyone authorized to act for the state or a local government counts as an employee, even if unpaid, temporary, or part‑time. Elected and appointed officers are included. Independent contractors are not employees, except contractors who are actively transporting someone for an initial assessment, emergency detention, or protective custody under the cited mental health law; they count as employees while doing that job. State military members on state active duty or Title 32 orders count as state employees.
Stricter rules for claims against government
Beginning November 1, 2026, only three types of people can file a claim: a property‑interest holder (all owners combined), the person actually hurt (with related family losses combined), or, in a death, the estate representative (all losses combined). Claims must be in writing. Acts involving corruption or fraud are not counted as part of an employee’s job for government liability. Inverse condemnation is not treated as a tort under this law.
Broader immunity for state medical providers
Beginning November 1, 2026, certain medical roles are treated as state employees, such as physicians in administrative roles, residents and interns in listed training programs, teaching faculty on teaching duty, doctors providing inmate care, specified OHCA contractors on administrative duties, and licensed professionals doing inmate or emergency mental health care under contract. The state is not liable for torts by physicians, residents, or interns when they are practicing medicine, unless a listed exception in the law applies.
All changes start November 1, 2026
All definition and rule changes in this law take effect November 1, 2026.
Clear rules for charity and community clinics
Beginning November 1, 2026, a person is medically indigent if they need necessary care, lack any coverage, and cannot afford it. A licensed provider who treats such a person with no pay is a charitable health care provider. A community health care provider includes FQHC volunteers, providers at look‑alike clinics, and providers at centers applying for look‑alike status that plan to refile within six months. These definitions help clinics and patients know who qualifies for charity care.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brent Howard
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Erick Harris
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 71 • No: 19
House vote • 4/16/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 4/16/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 4/2/2026
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/23/2026
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 11
Senate vote • 2/10/2026
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Approved by Governor 05/12/2026
5/13/2026SenateSent to Governor
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseEnrolled, to House
5/6/2026SenateReferred for enrollment
5/6/2026SenateSigned, returned to Senate
5/6/2026HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 71 Nays: 19
5/6/2026HouseGeneral Order
5/6/2026HouseCR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
4/16/2026HousePolicy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil Judiciary
4/13/2026HouseReferred to Civil Judiciary
3/30/2026HouseSecond Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
3/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
3/24/2026HouseEngrossed to House
3/24/2026SenateReferred for engrossment
3/23/2026SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 31 Nays: 11
3/23/2026SenateGeneral Order, Considered
3/23/2026SenateCoauthored by Representative Harris (principal House author)
2/23/2026SenatePlaced on General Order
2/12/2026SenateReported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Judiciary committee; CR filed
2/10/2026SenateSecond Reading referred to Judiciary
2/3/2026SenateAuthored by Senator Howard
2/2/2026SenateFirst Reading
2/2/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/6/2026
Floor (House)
4/20/2026
House Committee Report
4/16/2026
House Policy Committee Report
4/13/2026
Engrossed
3/24/2026
Floor (Senate)
2/11/2026
Committee Substitute
2/10/2026
Senate Committee Report
2/10/2026
Introduced
1/14/2026
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