House Bill No. 1939 amends the powers and duties of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, focusing on the construction and operation of turnpike projects. The bill requires the Authority to conduct comprehensive studies assessing potential routes, economic feasibility, and community impacts before issuing bonds for new projects. It mandates collaboration with local municipalities and counties, ensuring that affected property owners are notified and can participate in public meetings. The bill emphasizes data-driven decision-making and public engagement, with new provisions that require project feasibility to be based on reliable data and studies to be conducted without conflicts of interest. All studies must be reviewed by qualified independent entities, and findings must be publicly accessible to enhance transparency and accountability.

Additionally, the bill introduces new legal requirements for bond approvals, mandating that applications be filed with the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, which will have exclusive jurisdiction over these applications. It extends the notice period for hearings from ten to forty-five days and requires that all Authority meetings be open to the public, with accessible records. Stricter penalties are established for Authority members engaging in profit-driven transactions, classifying such violations as felonies. The bill also clarifies that paving design standards must align with those set by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials and emphasizes awarding construction contracts to the lowest responsible bidders while ensuring a significant portion of the labor force consists of Oklahoma residents.