The bill amends Oklahoma law to establish specialized business court divisions within district courts in counties with populations over 500,000, specifically Oklahoma County and Tulsa County. It recognizes the need for these courts due to the complexities of commercial litigation and defines their jurisdiction to include complex claims with a minimum amount in controversy of $500,000. The bill outlines the appointment process for business court judges, requiring the Governor to appoint judges with Senate confirmation from a list provided by the Speaker of the House, and sets qualifications for these judges, including a minimum of ten years of relevant legal experience.

Additionally, the bill details the operational framework for the business courts, including the appointment of law clerks and secretary-bailiffs, and mandates the Supreme Court to create rules for implementation, including electronic filing procedures and a filing fee of $1,500. It specifies that cases cannot be filed in the business court before January 1, 2026, and establishes timelines for resolving non-jury trials within twelve months, with provisions for extensions. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to streamline the handling of complex commercial cases while excluding certain individual consumer claims from its jurisdiction.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-125
Floor (House): 20-125
Floor (Senate): 20-125
Engrossed: 20-125
Amended And Engrossed: 20-125
Senate Conference Committee Substitute: 20-125
Enrolled (final version): 20-125