OklahomaSB 843Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionSenate

School district boards of education; modifying exception to certain prohibition on certain relationships between board members and school district employees. Effective date. Emergency.

Sponsored By: Casey Murdock (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Senate Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Small districts let relatives work or run

Beginning July 1, 2026, districts with fewer than 5,000 students can hire a board member’s close relative as a substitute teacher or temporary support worker. Districts with fewer than 550 students can also let a close relative of a board member be a candidate or an employee if the board adopts a policy. In all cases, the relative must be within the second degree by blood or marriage. The related board member must follow the law’s recusal and voting limits.

Stronger conflict rules for school boards

Beginning July 1, 2026, a board member who is a close relative of a district employee must not attend or take part in meetings about that employee’s personnel matters or lawsuits. They may vote on contract renewals or union agreements only as a group and only when needed to make a quorum. If several members are related to the same employee, only the minimum number needed may vote. Each board must adopt a written policy on when such votes can happen. Members who break these rules face the penalties in Title 21, Sections 485 and 486.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Casey Murdock
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Mike Dobrinski
Republican • House
Carl Newton
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 152 • No: 4

House vote • 4/28/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 77 • No: 4

House vote • 4/13/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/25/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 45 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/17/2026

Committee vote: Education

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Approved by Governor 04/30/2026
5/4/2026Senate
Sent to Governor
4/28/2026Senate
Signed, returned to Senate
4/28/2026House
Enrolled, to House
4/28/2026Senate
Referred for enrollment
4/28/2026Senate
Signed, returned to Senate
4/28/2026House
Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 77 Nays: 4
4/28/2026House
General Order
4/28/2026House
CR; Do Pass Education Oversight Committee
4/13/2026House
Coauthored by Representative(s) Newton
4/6/2026House
Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Common Education
4/6/2026House
Remove Representative Newton as principal House author and substitute with Representative Dobrinski
3/31/2026House
Referred to Common Education
3/30/2026House
Second Reading referred to Education Oversight
3/30/2026House
First Reading
3/26/2026House
Engrossed to House
3/26/2026Senate
Referred for engrossment
3/25/2026Senate
Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 45 Nays: 0
3/25/2026Senate
General Order, Considered
3/25/2026Senate
Coauthored by Representative Newton (principal House author)
3/2/2026Senate
Placed on General Order
2/19/2026Senate
Reported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed
2/17/2026Senate
Second Reading referred to Education
2/4/2025Senate
Authored by Senator Murdock
2/3/2025Senate
First Reading
2/3/2025Senate

Bill Text

Enrolled (final version)
4/28/2026
PDF
Floor (House)
4/13/2026
PDF
House Committee Report
4/13/2026
PDF
House Policy Committee Report
4/6/2026
PDF
Engrossed
3/26/2026
PDF
Floor (Senate)
2/18/2026
PDF
Senate Committee Report
2/17/2026
PDF
Introduced
1/16/2025
PDF

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