Bill No. 453, introduced by Senator Howard and Representative Harris, amends existing civil procedure laws regarding offers of judgment in Oklahoma. The bill modifies the procedures for making and accepting offers of judgment, establishing a deadline for filing such offers at least seven days before a trial date. It requires that accepted offers be filed with the court clerk and stipulates that unaccepted offers are inadmissible in court, except in proceedings to determine costs. Additionally, the bill specifies that if a judgment obtained by the offeree is less than or equal to the unaccepted offer, the offeree must pay the offering party's litigation costs incurred after the offer was made.

The bill also updates statutory language and repeals certain sections related to offers of judgment. Key provisions include requirements for the content of an offer of judgment letter, such as the judgment offer amount and any applicable attorney fees. The amendments aim to streamline the process and clarify the implications of offers of judgment, ensuring that both parties understand their rights and obligations. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 12-1101.1, 12-1106
Floor (Senate): 12-1101.1, 12-1106
Engrossed: 12-1101.1, 12-1106