House Bill No. 1414 amends Section 510 of Title 19 of the Oklahoma Statutes, which outlines the qualifications for county sheriff. The bill defines "peace officer" more explicitly, stating that it refers to a full-time officer who has worked over 25 hours per week and whose duties include preserving public peace and enforcing laws at various levels. It modifies the eligibility criteria for candidates by allowing individuals who have served as military police to count their service towards the experience requirement needed to file for the office of county sheriff. Additionally, candidates must present proof of their peace officer qualifications when filing their declaration of candidacy, and the Secretary of State Election Board is authorized to prescribe a specific form for this documentation.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a requirement for newly elected or appointed sheriffs to complete an administrative school within twelve months of taking office, which is developed by the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association and approved by the Council on Law Enforcement Education and Training (CLEET). Failure to complete this training will result in the revocation of CLEET certification for the new sheriff. The bill also clarifies that the new qualifications do not apply to individuals who are currently serving or have previously served as county sheriffs before the enactment of this statute. The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2025.