This bill amends the Administrative Procedures Act by establishing that courts and administrative hearing officers in Oklahoma must provide a de novo interpretation of state statutes, administrative rules, or other subregulatory documents. Specifically, it mandates that these judicial bodies shall not defer to the interpretations made by state agencies. Instead, they are required to interpret the meaning and effect of such documents independently. Furthermore, in cases involving state agencies, after utilizing customary interpretation methods, any remaining uncertainties must be resolved in a manner that limits agency power and enhances individual liberty.

The new legal language will be codified as Section 318.1 of Title 75 in the Oklahoma Statutes. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.