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OklahomaSB 2118Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate

Counties; authorizing certain use of surplus funds by county sheriffs. Effective date.

Sponsored By: Warren Hamilton (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

County cars and $400 for sheriffs

Beginning November 1, 2026, the county can buy cars for each county commissioner and, with the sheriff’s agreement, for the sheriff, instead of mileage or a travel allowance. The county can pay to operate, insure, equip, maintain, and repair these cars. Cars must be bought by competitive bids and used only for official duties. In counties with at least 350,000 people, the sheriff may choose a monthly car allowance up to $400 for in‑county driving if that is more economical for the county.

Marked cars and uniforms for stops

Beginning November 1, 2026, sheriffs and deputies may not use unmarked cars for routine traffic enforcement, except as allowed by state law. During routine traffic stops, the officer must wear the official uniform with patches, badge, and other agency ID. These rules make traffic stops clearer and safer for drivers.

Sheriffs can contract to house inmates

Beginning November 1, 2026, each county sheriff can sign contracts to feed, house, and care for federal, state, or city prisoners or detainees in the county jail. Money from these contracts is county money and goes into the Sheriff’s Service Fee Account. The county must follow state purchasing rules when using these funds. The sheriff can spend the money on capital needs and admin costs like salaries, training, equipment, and travel. Claims must be approved by the board of county commissioners. The sheriff gets no extra pay and must file a yearly report by January 15 that the State Auditor audits.

Sheriffs can run commissary and phones

Beginning November 1, 2026, the sheriff can run or hire someone to run a jail commissary and the inmate phone system. Commissary money is county money and goes into the Sheriff’s Commissary Account. It can fund jail services, and any surplus can pay for training, equipment, travel, capital needs, jail operations, inmate care, and other jail costs. Phone money goes into the Sheriff’s Service Fee Account and is spent under the county’s normal spending rules. Claims must be approved by the board of county commissioners. The sheriff gets no extra pay for the commissary and must file a yearly report by January 15 that the State Auditor audits.

Penalties for abusing county vehicles

Beginning November 1, 2026, breaking the county’s official vehicle or travel rules is a misdemeanor. On conviction, a person can be fined up to $100, jailed up to 30 days, or both. The person is also discharged from county employment.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Warren Hamilton

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Tim Turner

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 145 • No: 14

House vote • 4/21/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 87 • No: 4

House vote • 4/14/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 33 • No: 8

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Committee vote: Local & County Government

Yes: 7 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 04/23/2026

    4/24/2026Senate

  2. Sent to Governor

    4/22/2026Senate

  3. Signed, returned to Senate

    4/22/2026House

  4. Enrolled, to House

    4/22/2026Senate

  5. Referred for enrollment

    4/21/2026Senate

  6. Signed, returned to Senate

    4/21/2026House

  7. Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 4

    4/21/2026House

  8. General Order

    4/21/2026House

  9. CR; Do Pass Government Oversight Committee

    4/14/2026House

  10. Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass County and Municipal Government

    4/8/2026House

  11. Referred to County and Municipal Government

    3/31/2026House

  12. Second Reading referred to Government Oversight

    3/31/2026House

  13. First Reading

    3/30/2026House

  14. Engrossed to House

    3/30/2026Senate

  15. Referred for engrossment

    3/26/2026Senate

  16. Measure passed: Ayes: 33 Nays: 8

    3/26/2026Senate

  17. General Order, Considered

    3/26/2026Senate

  18. Coauthored by Representative Turner (principal House author)

    3/4/2026Senate

  19. Placed on General Order

    2/19/2026Senate

  20. Reported Do Pass Local and County Government committee; CR filed

    2/17/2026Senate

  21. Second Reading referred to Local and County Government

    2/3/2026Senate

  22. Authored by Senator Hamilton

    2/2/2026Senate

  23. First Reading

    2/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    4/22/2026

    PDF

  • Floor (House)

    4/18/2026

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    4/14/2026

    PDF

  • House Policy Committee Report

    4/8/2026

    PDF

  • Engrossed

    3/30/2026

    PDF

  • Floor (Senate)

    2/18/2026

    PDF

  • Senate Committee Report

    2/17/2026

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/15/2026

    PDF

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