This bill amends various sections of Oklahoma law concerning court costs and introduces a court cost compliance program designed to assist county sheriffs and courts in collecting financial obligations related to misdemeanor or cost-related warrants. Key provisions include allowing full payment of costs in lieu of court appearance, prohibiting court cost compliance liaisons from invoicing certain parties for enforcement costs, and permitting them to retain attorney fees. The bill also introduces hardship waivers for defendants permanently unable to pay their debts and modifies the criteria for determining a defendant's ability to pay. Additionally, it outlines procedures for the suspension of driving privileges under specific conditions and mandates that court clerks notify the court when defendants fail to meet their financial obligations.

The bill further establishes new procedures for handling defaults on payment plans, requiring courts to provide cost hearings upon request without assessing fees for such requests. It removes several provisions related to cost arrest warrants and willfulness hearings while introducing new definitions and administrative costs associated with the compliance program. The legislation emphasizes timely referrals to the court cost compliance program for defendants who default on payment plans and clarifies that if a defendant is unable or refuses to pay, the total amount owed will be entered as a judgment, allowing for enforcement remedies similar to those available to other judgment creditors. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19-514.4, 19-514.5, 22-983, 28-101