This bill establishes a business court division within the district court system of Oklahoma, specifically in municipalities with populations exceeding 500,000. It amends existing statutes to create two business court divisions: Business Court Division I in Oklahoma County and Business Court Division II in Tulsa County. The bill outlines the appointment process for business court judges, who will serve two-year terms and must meet specific qualifications, including being a licensed attorney with at least ten years of experience in complex civil business litigation. Additionally, the bill provides for the appointment of a secretary-bailiff and law clerk for each business court judge.

The legislation also delineates the jurisdiction of the business courts, allowing them to hear a range of complex commercial cases while explicitly prohibiting them from handling certain types of cases, such as personal injury claims and residential landlord-tenant disputes. The bill sets the annual salary for business court judges at $155,459 and specifies that business courts will not be required to hold sessions in every county. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for November 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 20-125