House Bill No. 2138, introduced by Kannady, amends Oklahoma's civil procedure laws concerning default judgments and postjudgment interest. The bill stipulates that if a defendant does not respond to a summons and petition within twenty days, a motion for default judgment is unnecessary, and no notice is required. It further clarifies that any communication with the plaintiff does not constitute a formal response unless it is documented in writing and filed with the court. Additionally, the bill allows for an evidentiary hearing on damages even if the defendant has not formally responded.

The bill also revises the rules regarding the accrual of postjudgment interest, stating that interest will apply to amounts collected on judgments enforced during an appeal that is later overturned, starting from the date the judgment is rendered or filed with the court clerk. It establishes that postjudgment interest will be calculated at the prime rate plus two percent, as certified by the State Treasurer, and applies to judgments rendered on or after January 1, 2005, as well as to unpaid judgments prior to that date. Furthermore, the provisions for computing prejudgment interest will apply to actions filed in district courts on or after January 1, 2010. The effective date for this act is set for November 1, 2025, aiming to standardize the methods for calculating interest on judgments in the judicial system.