Bill > SB542

This bill modifies several provisions of Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to improve administrative hearing and judicial review processes. The bill requires agencies to issue or refuse declaratory rulings within 120 calendar days, mandates that all parties in a proceeding receive copies of notices, and expands grounds for disqualifying hearing examiners or agency members to include improper appointment or failure to take the constitutional oath of office. The legislation enhances judicial review procedures by allowing agencies to recover court costs and attorney fees if a review proceeding is deemed frivolous, and conversely allows aggrieved parties to recover treble (triple) attorney fees if an agency's proceeding is frivolous. Additionally, the bill imposes a penalty of treble attorney fees on agencies that fail to transmit the complete record of a proceeding within the required timeframe. The bill also makes various technical changes, such as updating gender-specific language to be gender-neutral, and includes provisions to ensure more transparent and fair administrative proceedings. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2025, with an emergency clause stating its immediate importance for public peace, health, and safety.

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http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb542&Session=2600