Oklahoma legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Oklahoma HB3996: Crimes and punishments; capital cases; Indigent Defense System to make certain payments and provide certain experts; effective date.
Status: Chaptered, May 13, 2026
What the bill says
An Act relating to capital cases; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 1089, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 144, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1089), which relates to post-conviction relief for death penalty conviction; requiring Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into contracts and provide payment to certain experts; updating statutory reference; and providing an effective date. SUBJECT: Capital cases.
From the enrolled text, May 6, 2026:
An Act relating to capital cases; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 1089, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 144, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1089), which relates to post-conviction relief for death penalty conviction; requiring Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into contracts and provide payment to certain experts; updating statutory reference; and providing an effective date. SUBJECT: Capital cases SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 22 O.S. 2021, Section 1089, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 144, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1089), is amended to read as follows: Section 1089. A. The application for post-conviction relief of a defendant who is under the sentence of death in one or more counts and whose death sentence has been affirmed or is being reviewed by the Court of Criminal Appeals in accordance with the provisions of Section 701.13 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes shall be expedited as provided in this section. The provisions of this section also apply to noncapital sentences in a case in which the defendant has received one or more sentences of death. B. The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System shall represent all indigent defendants in capital cases seeking post-conviction relief upon appointment by the appropriate district court after a hearing determining the indigency of any such defendant. The System shall contract with, and provide …
Sponsors
- Trey Caldwell (R, HD-063)
- Caldwell (R) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/13/2026
- : Sent to Governor
- : Enrolled measure signed, returned to House
- : Enrolled, signed, to Senate
- : Referred for enrollment
- : Fourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 86 Nays: 1
- : SA's read, adopted
- : SA's received
- : Engrossed to House
- : Referred for engrossment
Votes
- Fourth Reading (May 6, 2026): 86 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Third Reading (April 22, 2026): 47 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Senate Judiciary Committee (April 14, 2026): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Third Reading (March 4, 2026): 87 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Floor Vote (February 24, 2026): 11 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Floor Vote (February 17, 2026): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Criminal Procedure, Named Acts
Common questions
- What is HB3996?
- HB3996 is a bill in the Oklahoma Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Crimes and punishments; capital cases; Indigent Defense System to make certain payments and provide certain experts; effective date.
- What does HB3996 do?
- In its own words: An Act relating to capital cases; amending 22 O.S. 2021, Section 1089, as amended by Section 4, Chapter 144, O.S.L. 2022 (22 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1089), which relates to post-conviction relief for death penalty conviction; requiring Oklahoma Indigent Defense System to enter into contracts and provide payment to certain experts; updating statutory reference; and providing an effective date. SUBJECT: Capital cases.
- What is the status of HB3996?
- Chaptered as of May 13, 2026. Latest action: Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/13/2026 (May 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB3996?
- Caldwell (R), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB3996?
- On the Oklahoma Legislature website: https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB3996&Session=2600
Source: official Oklahoma record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.