Oklahoma legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma HB3968: Eminent domain; defining term; limiting the use of eminent domain; statutory references; effective date.
Status: In committee, March 5, 2026
What the bill says
An Act relating to eminent domain; defining term; prohibiting taking of private property unless for certain uses; prohibiting expansion of powers absent express statutory authority; amending 27 O.S.2021, Sections 5 and 17, which relate to local governments and resale of surplus property; conforming language; updating statutory references; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.
From the engrossed text, March 5, 2026:
An Act relating to eminent domain; defining term; prohibiting taking of private property unless for certain uses; prohibiting expansion of powers absent express statutory authority; amending 27 O.S.2021, Sections 5 and 17, which relate to local governments and resale of surplus property; conforming language; updating statutory references; providing for codification; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 41 of Title 27, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows: A. As used in this section, and subject to subsection B of this section, "public use" means: 1. The possession, occupation, ownership, and enjoyment of land by the general public, or by a government entity, for use as a HB3968 HFLR Page BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. publ ic highway, road, easement or right-of-way, public building, public cemetery, public park, or for any other use expressly authorized in Section 5 of Title 27 of the Oklahoma Statutes; and 2. The possession, occupation, and ownership of land for the operations of a public utility or a private entity that is expressly authorized by statute to exercise eminent domain and that serves the general public. B. Limitations on the Exercise of Eminent Domain. …
Sponsors
- Kevin West (R, HD-054)
- Clay Staires (R, HD-066)
- Annie Menz (D, HD-045) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Authored by Senator Standridge (principal Senate author)
- : Coauthored by Representative(s) Staires
- : CR; Do Pass Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee
- : Coauthored by Representative(s) West (Kevin)
- : Policy recommendation to the Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee; Do Pass Civil Judiciary
- : Referred to Civil Judiciary
- : Second Reading referred to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight
- : Authored by Representative Menz
- : First Reading
Votes
- Floor Vote (March 5, 2026): 10 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Floor Vote (February 12, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Committee (February 12, 2026): 8 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Property, Eminent Domain
Common questions
- What is HB3968?
- HB3968 is a bill in the Oklahoma Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Eminent domain; defining term; limiting the use of eminent domain; statutory references; effective date.
- What does HB3968 do?
- In its own words: An Act relating to eminent domain; defining term; prohibiting taking of private property unless for certain uses; prohibiting expansion of powers absent express statutory authority; amending 27 O.S.2021, Sections 5 and 17, which relate to local governments and resale of surplus property; conforming language; updating statutory references; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.
- What is the status of HB3968?
- In committee as of March 5, 2026. Latest action: Authored by Senator Standridge (principal Senate author) (March 5, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB3968?
- Annie Menz (D, HD-045), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB3968?
- On the Oklahoma Legislature website: https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB3968&Session=2600
Source: official Oklahoma record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.