Transparency Reforms

New Admin Rules Take Effect

Two new laws took effect Nov. 1 and further strengthen Oklahoma's administrative rules process by requiring state agencies to demonstrate clear legal authority for their regulations and making agency guidance documents more accessible to the public.

House Bill 4319

House Bill 4319, authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, requires clear legal authority for agency rules, which carry the weight of law. Senate Bill 1433, the Guidance Transparency Act, carried by Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, requires agencies to make guidance documents publicly available and submit them for publication in a centralized, searchable format.

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 for approval.

"Administrative agencies have a responsibility to carry out the laws passed by the Legislature, but they must do so in a transparent way and within the bounds of what the law specifically allows," said Kendrix, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. "We have made significant and much-needed reforms to this process over the last three years, and I appreciate my colleagues' support of these measures and the work Representative Hall has done to continue building on this important work."

HB4319 limits state agencies to adopting rules supported by specific and explicit authorization in state law rather than relying solely on general statements of rulemaking authority.
The law also strengthens legislative review by requiring lawmakers to determine whether proposed rules have specific statutory authorization and fall within the scope of that authority. In addition, agencies must review existing rules and determine whether they meet the requirements within three years or risk noncompliant rules being repealed.

"House Bill 4319 reinforces the Legislature's constitutional authority in making law," Kendrix said. "By strengthening the emphasis on specific statutory authority, we can confirm agencies implement intended legislative policy rather than establishing requirements without proper authorization from the elected officials tasked with lawmaking responsibility."

SB1433

SB1433 addresses another part of the regulatory process: agency guidance documents that communicate official policies, interpretations or recommendations but are not necessarily formal administrative rules.

The Guidance Transparency Act requires certain state agencies to make guidance documents available for public inspection online or at their primary places of business. Agencies also must submit the documents to the Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules for publication in a centralized, searchable format and keep the information current.

"Making agency guidance more accessible gives Oklahomans a clearer picture of how decisions are made and what they can expect when working with state government," Hall said. "I believe this change will make a meaningful difference for people trying to navigate those processes. Greater transparency also brings greater accountability, and that's something that benefits everyone."

Together, the measures build on recent efforts to limit agency overreach and restore accountability to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process.

In 2025, the Legislature enacted four major reforms addressing legislative oversight, agency authority and public accountability. The Secretary of State's Office also launched rules.ok.gov, an online portal where Oklahomans can review proposed rules, submit public comments and sign up for updates on agency rulemaking.