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HB 1017OKLAHOMASession 2026State BillBecame law without the governor's signature

Enacted

Oklahoma Creates Commission to Explore New NCAA Division II Athletic Conference

Original title: Higher education; Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act; Oklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission; emergency.

Last action · May 7, 2025: Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/07/2025Sponsors: Brad Boles and 2 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Does

Oklahoma law establishes the Oklahoma Athletic Conference Exploration Commission to study the feasibility of creating a new in-state collegiate athletic conference. The newly created ten-member commission is tasked with analyzing potential member institutions, financial impacts, travel logistics, and NCAA compliance, culminating in a report to the Legislature within twelve months.

Why it matters

Establishes a dedicated state commission with a to evaluate the creation of an in-state sports conference, which could alter travel costs, athletic budgets, and competitive alignments for participating Oklahoma colleges and universities.

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Oklahoma NCAA Division II universities

University presidents serve on the Commission, and their institutions are evaluated for potential membership, travel cost changes, and conference realignment.

Directly affected

Student-athletes

Athletes experience potential changes in classroom time, travel requirements, academic support, and competitive structures.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which universities make up the initial Commission?

The initial Commission comprises the presidents of Northeastern State University, Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, East Central University, Cameron University, Rogers State University, Oklahoma Christian University, Southern Nazarene University, and Oklahoma Baptist University.

What is the primary deadline for the Commission?

The Commission must prepare and submit a detailed feasibility report to the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate within twelve months of its first meeting.

How is the Exploration Commission funded?

The Commission is supported by a newly created State Treasury that receives monies from legislative appropriations, gifts, grants, donations, and bequests.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Became law without the governor's signature.

Procedural history

32 actions

May 7, 2025House
Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/07/2025
Apr 30, 2025House
Sent to Governor
Apr 30, 2025Senate
Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
Apr 30, 2025House
Enrolled, signed, to Senate
Apr 29, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred for enrollment
Apr 29, 2025Senate
Engrossed measure signed, returned to House

Show 26 earlier actions

Apr 29, 2025Senate
Emergency passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 12
Apr 29, 2025SenateFloor
Measure passed: Ayes: 32 Nays: 13
Apr 29, 2025Senate
Amendment restored bill to engrossed version
Apr 29, 2025Senate
Title restored
Apr 29, 2025Senate
General Order, Amended
Apr 21, 2025Senate
Placed on General Order
Apr 16, 2025SenateFloor
Reported Do Pass Appropriations committee; CR filed
Apr 8, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to Appropriations
Apr 8, 2025Senate
Title stricken
Apr 8, 2025SenateFloor
Reported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed
Apr 8, 2025Senate
Coauthored by Senator Pederson
Apr 1, 2025SenateCommittee
Second Reading referred to Education Committee then to Appropriations Committee
Mar 5, 2025Senate
Coauthored by Representative Deck
Mar 5, 2025SenateIntroduced
First Reading
Mar 5, 2025House
Engrossed, signed, to Senate
Mar 4, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred for engrossment
Mar 4, 2025House
Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 78 Nays: 13
Mar 4, 2025House
Authored by Senator Rader (principal Senate author)
Mar 4, 2025House
General Order
Feb 26, 2025HouseFloor
CR; Do Pass Education Oversight Committee
Feb 11, 2025House
Coauthored by Representative(s) Boles
Feb 11, 2025HouseFloor
Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Postsecondary Education
Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee
Referred to Postsecondary Education
Feb 4, 2025HouseCommittee
Second Reading referred to Education Oversight
Feb 3, 2025House
Authored by Representative Moore
Feb 3, 2025HouseIntroduced
First Reading

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

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Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Connected Entities

Rogers State University, National Collegiate Athletic Association, East Central University and 13 more

OrganizationRogers State University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationNational Collegiate Athletic Association“Governing body for intercollegiate athletics”Map →

OrganizationEast Central University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationOklahoma House of Representatives“Recipient of the Commission's reports”Map →

PersonState Treasurer“Issues warrants against claims filed for the revolving fund”Map →

OrganizationOffice of Management and Enterprise Services“State agency handling claims for payment”Map →

OrganizationOklahoma NCAA Division II Athletic Conference Exploration Commission“Commission established by the act to explore creating a new NCAA Division II ath”Map →

OrganizationNorthwestern Oklahoma State University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationOklahoma Christian University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationOklahoma Baptist University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationSouthern Nazarene University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationNortheastern State University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationCameron University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationSoutheastern Oklahoma State University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

OrganizationOklahoma State Senate“Recipient of the Commission's reports”Map →

OrganizationSouthwestern Oklahoma State University“Initial member institution of the Commission”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.oklegislature.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance50
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy15
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz30
Current news / social attention level

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