OKLAHOMA CITY With the close of the legislative session, known as sine die adjournment, slated for Friday, May 30, legislators are still focused on getting bills to Gov. Kevin Stitt’s desk for approval.
Last week, President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) saw 10 bills that he authored or co-sponsored passed to the governor and now are waiting for final approval. One of those measures, House Bill 2781 is considered landmark legislation that would establish the Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act 25 and seeks to attract transformative capital investment and high-wage manufacturing jobs to the state.
Paxton said in a legislative press release that approval of ROA25 would send a clear message to the world that Oklahoma is open for business and ready to lead the next era of American manufacturing.
“ROA-25 gives our state a powerful tool to compete for high-impact investments that bring long-term jobs, economic growth and prosperity to our citizens. This is a smart, pro-economic development policy that only rewards real performance. There is no upfront giveaway. Companies must deliver major private investment and create jobs before any rebates are issued. It’s a win-win for Oklahoma workers and our economic future,” he said.
HB 2781 proposes to create a long-term investment rebate program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, to incentivize capital-intensive manufacturing projects. To qualify, a manufacturing establishment must invest a minimum of $2 billion in Oklahoma and create at least 700 direct jobs in the first year, increasing to 1,000 jobs by the second year, a threshold maintained through the remainder of the rebate period, which runs through July 1, 2045, the press release outlined.
Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) co-sponsored two bills that advanced to the governor’s desk last week; one was approved and one was vetoed.
The governor approved HB 1850, which creates the Oklahoma Uniform Trust Code, a comprehensive legal framework for establishing, administering and managing trusts in the state. In addition to establishing detailed rules and guidelines for trust creation, it also outlines duties and powers of the trustees, addresses creditor claims and trust modification or termination. The new law applies to both existing and future trusts.
Vetoed HB 2048 addressed rural, nonprofit and critical-access hospitals and health centers, known as 340B providers that serve a high number of uninsured and low-income patients.
The bill sought to prohibit drug manufacturers and distributors from arbitrarily limiting the number of pharmacies that could enter into contracts with these facilities, which would make it almost impossible for all qualified patients to be covered under this federal program.
In vetoing the measure, Stitt said that the program addressed in HB 2048 is in deep need of reform at the federal level to improve transparency.
“I know President Trump is working to address this issue,” Stitt said. “I do not believe it is the job of the Legislature to insert itself into a contractual dispute and try to pick winners and losers.”
Howard, along with the bill’s author, Rep. Preston Stinson (R-Edmond), issued a joint statement after the veto.
“While we agree with the Governor that broader reforms are needed to fix the federal 340B program, Oklahomans can’t afford to wait while the Washington bureaucracy drags its feet. This Legislature will not be intimidated by Big Pharma’s shady tactics and smear campaigns. It’s time to override this veto to protect our local providers and reject the profit-driven motives of out-of-state pharmaceutical companies.”
Sen. Kendal Sacchieri (R-Blanchard) co-sponsored two bills that became law last week without the governor’s signature.
HB 1419 will modify the state’s motor vehicle laws by updating the definition of a “street-legal utility vehicle” and expand its legal use on highways. The minimum speed for these utility vehicles will increase from 45 to 50 miles per hour and can be operated on U.S. highways in counties with fewer than 75,000 residents.
Counties with populations over 75,000, the registered street-legal utility vehicle can now operate on U.S. highways with speed limits of 50 miles per hour or less. Regardless of population, the vehicles are still banned from operating on the Interstate Highway System. Existing requirements will remain the same, including the vehicles are equipped with bench seats and safety belts. Operators must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license.
HB 1600 creates the Lori Brand Patient Bill of Rights Act of 2025, which outlines the rights and responsibilities of adult patients in Oklahoma healthcare settings. The new bill guarantees fundamental rights of patients, including receiving respectful and safe care, giving informed consent for treatments, obtaining clear and accessible medical information, participating in care planning and maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
Additional protections for minor patients include focusing on developmental needs, emotional support, involvement in medical decision-making, age-appropriate care and the right to a supportive treatment environment. Parents or legal guardians still retain final medical decision-making authority.
During the legislative session, bills sent to the governor’s desk can become law without the governor’s signature provided no action — such as approval or veto — is taken within five days.