The Oklahoma Work Zone Safety and Contractor Protection Act is designed to enhance safety for workers in roadway work zones and provide protections for contractors. It establishes a framework that defines contractors and subcontractors as employees for liability purposes in work zone operations under the Department of Transportation. The bill mandates the creation of a program to improve work zone safety and introduces penalties for violations. Additionally, it creates the Work Zone Safety Revolving Fund to support safety initiatives and amends the Governmental Tort Claims Act to update the definition of "employee" to include those working in roadway work zones, emphasizing reasonable liability standards to protect contractors from excessive liability due to third-party accidents.

The legislation also introduces new regulations for automated work zone speed enforcement systems, which will be implemented in collaboration with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. These systems will operate in active work zones and issue citations for speeding, with first-time offenders having the option to complete a work zone safety course instead of paying a fine. The bill outlines the distribution of collected fines, directing 80% to the Work Zone Safety Revolving Fund. Furthermore, it provides liability protections for contractors and subcontractors, ensuring they are not held liable for incidents occurring in compliance with contract documents and granting them similar immunities as governmental entities. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 51-152