Bill No. 375 amends Oklahoma law to enhance the authority and responsibilities of the Department of Public Safety (DPS) concerning state beneficiary public trusts. The bill permits the Commissioner of Public Safety to enter into interlocal agreements with these trusts for policing and setting speed limits on their roads. It grants DPS officers the authority to enforce traffic laws, investigate violations, and regulate vehicle operation on these roads. Key amendments include updated definitions and powers for DPS officers, as well as modifications to statutory language for clarity, such as changing "which" to "that" in specific contexts.

Additionally, the bill empowers the Transportation Commission to establish maximum and minimum speed limits on controlled-access highways, potentially allowing speeds of up to seventy-five miles per hour in rural areas, contingent on safety studies. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority can set speed limits on turnpikes, with a maximum of eighty miles per hour. The bill also outlines the responsibilities of county commissioners regarding speed limits on county roads and establishes penalties for violations. Furthermore, it allows public trusts to operate outside their geographic boundaries for public benefit, requires gubernatorial approval for bylaw amendments, and introduces provisions for closing or reopening roadways under certain conditions. The bill is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Committee Substitute: 60-176
Floor (Senate): 60-176
Engrossed: 60-176