Bill > HB2729

This bill amends the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act to make several key changes to judicial review of administrative agency actions. The bill establishes that a claim under the Administrative Procedures Act accrues when a plaintiff first has the right to assert the claim in court, which is at the earliest the date the party is aggrieved by final agency action. It introduces a new requirement that when reviewing administrative cases, courts and hearing officers must interpret statutes, rules, and regulations de novo (from scratch) without deferring to the agency's interpretation, and must resolve any interpretive doubts in a way that limits agency power and maximizes individual liberty. The bill also prohibits civil penalties in certain administrative actions against persons or entities where the conduct could be subject to a jury trial, except after an actual jury trial. Additionally, the bill updates various statutory references and language related to judicial review procedures, such as specifying timelines for filing petitions and serving notice. The changes aim to provide more robust judicial oversight of administrative agency actions and protect individual rights. The bill is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb2729&Session=2600