Major Administrative Rules reforms take effect in Oklahoma

Administrative rules are where the government-law rubber meets real-life road. It's the nitty-gritty detail of how law affects life. In the legislature, administrative rules oversight requires a lot of work and dedication. It's not glamorous or headline/camera catching, but it is absolutely necessary. 

Major Administrative Rules Reforms Take Effect in Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 2nd) – The last of four major reforms to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process took effect last month, marking a significant overhaul of the state's regulatory oversight system. Already in effect were three other new laws that strengthen legislative oversight, limit agency overreach and ensure that regulations are grounded in law and subject to greater public accountability.

Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature, but state statute left loopholes that could allow rules to become permanent without a single vote from lawmakers.

"When the Legislature, whether by intention or disregard, let regulations take effect without approval by lawmakers, we cede our lawmaking constitutional responsibility to unknown, unelected bureaucrats," said Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. "That's not what we were elected to do. We weren't sent to the State Capitol to run the government on autopilot. I'm glad to see the last of these reform bills take effect and restore transparency, accountability and common sense to the rulemaking process."

Taking effect on Nov. 1 was House Bill 2729, which eliminates the Chevron deference at the state level, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision overturning the federal doctrine. The measure directs Oklahoma courts to independently interpret administrative rules rather than deferring to agency interpretations.

Three other major reform bills, which Kendrix authored or coauthored, took effect earlier this year.

House Bill 2728 establishes the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025. The law requires additional fiscal and statutory review for major agency rules, ensuring that regulations with significant financial or policy impacts receive proper legislative attention.

Under the REINS Act, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) will analyze proposed major rules and report potential costs or economic effects before implementation. Additionally, any rule expected to cost over $1 million over five years must be voted on separately from other proposed rules.

The third bill, Senate Bill 995, clarifies that any agency rule not explicitly approved by the Legislature is considered disapproved, reinforcing that administrative rules cannot carry the force of law without legislative consent.

The final bill, Senate Bill 1024, prohibits the adoption of a proposed rule by an agency unless the agency receives approval of scope from the Governor or the appropriate cabinet secretary. This additional step ensures that the agency has statutory authority to propose the rule.

"These four bills provide a much-needed modernization of Oklahoma's administrative rulemaking framework," Kendrix said. "Most importantly, they reaffirm the Legislature's constitutional role in ensuring that all regulations reflect the will of the people."

Kendrix also highlighted the new online portal, rules.ok.gov, where Oklahomans can review proposed rules, find information about submitting public comment and sign up for emails about an agency's rule-making activity.

"The previous process for considering administrative rules wasn't just confusing, it was irresponsible on our part," Kendrix said. "With these new bills and the online portal, everyday Oklahomans can more easily read the rules that may govern their lives and participate in their government."