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OklahomaSB 453Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Civil actions; creating the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act; providing for application of expedited actions process. Effective date.

Sponsored By: Brent Howard (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Limits on pain-and-suffering awards

Beginning September 1, 2025, economic damages in bodily injury cases stay unlimited. Noneconomic damages (pain, suffering, companionship loss, disfigurement, mental anguish) are capped at $500,000 per action. If the injury causes permanent and severe physical harm, there is no cap. For permanent mental injury that severely harms work or a reasonable standard of living, the cap is $1,000,000. There is no cap if the judge and jury find by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted with reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or intent/malice. Verdicts must state total, economic, and noneconomic amounts and those findings. These rules apply only to injuries on or after September 1, 2025, and do not apply to Governmental Tort Claims Act cases or certain constitutional claims. The law repeals the prior bodily‑injury statute and replaces it with this scheme.

Fast-track lawsuits capped at $250,000

Beginning September 1, 2025, the law creates a fast-track for civil cases when all claimants ask only for money of $250,000 or less. Do not count interest, statutory or punitive damages, penalties, or attorney fees and costs. In this track, no party can win more than $250,000 in monetary judgment, with those same items excluded. Discovery lasts 180 days with 20 hours of depositions per party and 15 interrogatories, 15 document requests, and 15 admissions. After discovery, any party can get a trial date within 90 days; jury time is 8 hours per side (up to 12 for good cause). Courts may order one half‑day ADR capped at twice the filing fees, finished at least 60 days before trial. A case leaves the track on good cause or if a claimant later seeks other relief; then discovery reopens. Expert challenges generally occur at the pretrial conference or during trial, with late‑designation motions still allowed.

Stricter gatekeeping for expert evidence

Beginning September 1, 2025, courts apply a clearer test for expert evidence. The party offering an expert must show it is more likely than not that the testimony is helpful, based on enough facts, uses reliable methods, and applies those methods reliably to the case. Judges act as gatekeepers before the jury hears the opinions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Brent Howard

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Erick Harris

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 221 • No: 54

Senate vote • 5/22/2025

FOURTH READING

Yes: 37 • No: 8

House vote • 5/22/2025

FOURTH READING

Yes: 61 • No: 19

House vote • 5/8/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 78 • No: 10

House vote • 4/24/2025

DO PASS

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/11/2025

THIRD READING

Yes: 30 • No: 15

Senate vote • 2/11/2025

Committee vote: Judiciary

Yes: 7 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 05/27/2025

    5/28/2025Senate

  2. Sent to Governor

    5/22/2025Senate

  3. Signed, returned to Senate

    5/22/2025House

  4. Enrolled, to House

    5/22/2025Senate

  5. Referred for enrollment

    5/22/2025Senate

  6. To Senate

    5/22/2025House

  7. Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 61 Nays: 19

    5/22/2025House

  8. CCR adopted

    5/22/2025House

  9. CCR submitted

    5/22/2025House

  10. Measure passed, to House: Ayes: 37 Nays: 8

    5/22/2025Senate

  11. CCR adopted

    5/22/2025Senate

  12. Title restored

    5/21/2025Senate

  13. CCR read

    5/21/2025Senate

  14. SCs named Howard, Paxton, Daniels, Rader, Rosino, Pugh, Kirt

    5/20/2025Senate

  15. Conference granted, naming Conference Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight

    5/20/2025House

  16. HAs rejected, conference requested

    5/20/2025Senate

  17. HAs read

    5/12/2025Senate

  18. Engrossed, signed, to Senate

    5/12/2025House

  19. Referred for engrossment

    5/8/2025House

  20. Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 78 Nays: 10

    5/8/2025House

  21. General Order

    5/8/2025House

  22. Title stricken

    4/24/2025House

  23. CR; Do Pass, as amended, Rules Committee

    4/24/2025House

  24. Referred to Rules

    4/23/2025House

  25. Withdrawn from Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee

    4/23/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled (final version)

    5/22/2025

    PDF

  • Scheduled House CCR 1(A)

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Conference Committee Report

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Conference Committee Substitute

    5/21/2025

    PDF

  • Amended And Engrossed

    5/12/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (House)

    4/24/2025

    PDF

  • House Committee Report

    4/24/2025

    PDF

  • Engrossed

    3/12/2025

    PDF

  • Floor (Senate)

    2/13/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Committee Report

    2/11/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/8/2025

    PDF

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