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Read. Follow. Verify.Oklahoma House Bill 1638 modifies definitions under The Governmental Tort Claims Act
Last action · April 16, 2026: Placed on General Order
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What This Bill Would Do
HB 1638 amends The Governmental by expanding the scope of specific statutory definitions related to s, employees, and claims, effective November 1, 2026.
Changes how liability limits and immunities apply to regional transportation authorities, contract operators, and participating interstate railways involved in public passenger rail service.
- The Governmental Tort Claims Act establishes the legal framework and limitations under which the state of Oklahoma, its agencies, and political subdivisions can be sued for torts. context
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Regional Transportation Authorities
Included under the definition of political subdivisions for the purposes of The Governmental Tort Claims Act.
Contract Operators and Interstate Railroads
Subject to specific tort liability provisions and immunities related to public passenger rail service operations.
Key Facts
- HB 1638 amends 51 O.S. 2021, Section 152, relating to definitions under The Governmental Tort Claims Act.
- The definition of a 'political subdivision' is expanded to include regional transportation authorities along with their contract operators and interstate railroads providing property interests or services for public passenger rail.
- Acquisition of commercial liability insurance by a regional transportation authority, contract operator, or railroad does not waive liabilities, immunities, or defenses under the Act.
- The act specifies inclusions and exclusions for state 'employee' status, covering certain resident physicians, faculty, medical professionals, mental health professionals, and members of state military forces.
Show all 5 facts
- The act becomes effective on November 1, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently passed both. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Law.
Procedural history
14 actions- Apr 16, 2026SenatePlaced on General Order
- Apr 14, 2026SenateFloorReported Do Pass Judiciary committee; CR filed
- Apr 1, 2026SenateCommitteeSecond Reading referred to Judiciary
- Mar 26, 2026SenateIntroducedFirst Reading
- Mar 26, 2026HouseEngrossed, signed, to Senate
- Mar 25, 2026HouseCommitteeReferred for engrossment
Show 8 earlier actions
- Mar 25, 2026HouseFloorThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 90 Nays: 4
- Mar 25, 2026HouseAuthored by Senator Rader (principal Senate author)
- Mar 25, 2026HouseGeneral Order
- Mar 9, 2026HouseFloorCR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Rules Committee
- Mar 2, 2026HouseRemove Representative Sneed as principal House author and substitute with Representative Osburn
- Feb 4, 2025HouseCommitteeSecond Reading referred to Rules
- Feb 3, 2025HouseAuthored by Representative Sneed
- Feb 3, 2025HouseIntroducedFirst 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.
View official text →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
Sources
www.oklegislature.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz15Current news / social attention level
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