Bill > HB1562

This bill amends Oklahoma's existing legislation regarding business courts by expanding their jurisdiction and clarifying their operational parameters. The bill establishes that business courts can hear cases with damages of at least $500,000, and can handle a wide range of business-related legal matters starting January 1, 2026, including disputes under various commercial statutes such as the Uniform Commercial Code, Corporation Act, and Partnership Act. These courts can handle complex cases requiring exceptional judicial management, which may involve numerous pretrial motions, large numbers of witnesses or documents, multiple parties, or intricate legal issues. The bill specifically defines what constitutes a "complex case" and provides a presumptive list of case types that would qualify, such as antitrust claims, intellectual property matters, and securities claims. Importantly, the bill explicitly excludes certain types of cases from business court jurisdiction, including consumer protection matters, personal injury claims, domestic relations cases, and most individual consumer transactions. The bill also adds a new provision explicitly stating that matters involving royalty or mineral owners are generally excluded from business court jurisdiction, except in cases where all parties consent or the case is a class action. The legislation includes an emergency clause, meaning it will take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Budget and Finance, Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1562&Session=2600