All Roll Calls
Yes: 147 • No: 54
OklahomaSB 453Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate
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.
Faster lawsuits with $250,000 cap
Beginning September 1, 2025, Oklahoma offers a faster court track for civil cases that seek $250,000 or less, not counting interest, punitive damages, penalties, or attorney fees. Any judgment under this track cannot exceed $250,000, excluding those items. Discovery lasts 180 days with caps: 20 hours of depositions and 15 each for interrogatories, document requests, and admissions. In divorce cases, the 180‑day clock ends 180 days after the first discovery request. On request, the court sets trial within 90 days after discovery, with up to 60 days of continuances total. Jury trials are limited to 8 hours per side (up to 12 for good cause); objections and bench talks do not count. The court may send the case to one half‑day ADR session, with fees capped at twice the filing fee, finished 60 days before the first trial date. Expert challenges are usually made at the pretrial conference or at trial. A case can leave the fast track for good cause or if a claimant asks for more than allowed; late changes need court approval. If removed, discovery reopens and prior witnesses can be deposed again.
New limits on pain and suffering
Beginning September 1, 2025, economic losses in injury cases are unlimited. Noneconomic damages like pain and suffering are generally capped at $500,000 per plaintiff. There is no cap for permanent and severe physical injuries, or when clear and convincing proof shows reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or malice. For a permanent mental injury that severely limits work or daily life, the noneconomic cap is $1,000,000. Juries must list economic and noneconomic amounts and answer questions about the defendant’s conduct. These rules do not apply to Governmental Tort Claims Act cases or claims under Article 23, Section 7, apply only to injuries on or after September 1, 2025, and replace the prior statute.
Stronger rules for expert witnesses
Beginning September 1, 2025, courts admit expert testimony only if it meets a stronger test. It must be more likely than not to help the judge or jury, use enough facts or data, rely on reliable methods, and apply them reliably to the case.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Brent Howard
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Erick Harris
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/22/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 61 • No: 19
Senate vote • 5/22/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 8
House vote • 5/8/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 78 • No: 10
House vote • 4/24/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/11/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 0 • No: 15
Senate vote • 2/11/2025
Top_of_Page
Yes: 0 • No: 1
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
5/22/2025SenateTo Senate
5/22/2025HouseFourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 61 Nays: 19
5/22/2025HouseCCR adopted
5/22/2025HouseCCR submitted
5/22/2025HouseMeasure passed, to House: Ayes: 37 Nays: 8
5/22/2025SenateCCR adopted
5/22/2025SenateTitle restored
5/21/2025SenateCCR read
5/21/2025SenateSCs named Howard, Paxton, Daniels, Rader, Rosino, Pugh, Kirt
5/20/2025SenateConference granted, naming Conference Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
5/20/2025HouseHAs rejected, conference requested
5/20/2025SenateHAs read
5/12/2025SenateEngrossed, signed, to Senate
5/12/2025HouseReferred for engrossment
5/8/2025HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 78 Nays: 10
5/8/2025HouseGeneral Order
5/8/2025HouseTitle stricken
4/24/2025HouseCR; Do Pass, as amended, Rules Committee
4/24/2025HouseReferred to Rules
4/23/2025HouseWithdrawn from Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
4/23/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/22/2025
Scheduled House CCR 1(A)
5/21/2025
Senate Conference Committee Report
5/21/2025
Senate Conference Committee Substitute
5/21/2025
Amended And Engrossed
5/12/2025
Floor (House)
4/24/2025
House Committee Report
4/24/2025
Engrossed
3/12/2025
Floor (Senate)
2/13/2025
Senate Committee Report
2/11/2025
Introduced
1/8/2025
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