12-05-2025
Oklahoma nearly finished with bill to create new courts for business lawsuits
One of Gov. Kevin Stitt's top priorities for this year's legislative session has been the creation of a special state court to handle complex business litigation. Three weeks before the end of the legislative session, it's unclear whether he'll get his wish.
House lawmakers advanced Senate Bill 632 on a mostly bipartisan vote of 71-19. The Senate now has three weeks to agree with changes made by the House to the bill or stall its progress while both sides negotiate on a final version.
Supporters have said business courts will be more prepared to handle the often complex and lengthy dockets that come with business litigation. While some lawmakers have expressed concern that a separate court system would provide special treatment to businesses beyond what other civil litigants face in district court, the bill has sailed through the Legislature this year without any significant public opposition.
If signed into law, SB 632 would create two new specialized business courts in Tulsa and Oklahoma counties. The courts would focus on disputes around Oklahoma's most complex business laws like securities, trade secrets, professional malpractice, contracts, commercial property, intra-business disputes and e-commerce. It also requires that any non-jury trial in a business court must be wrapped up within 12 months.
Judges in the two courts would be appointed directly by the governor and serve six-year terms.
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In Stitt's State of the State speech in February, he called for legislation that would "make sure business disputes and complicated contracts will be handled by judges with business expertise."
Under SB 632, business court judges would need to be at least 35 years old, a U.S. citizen and be a licensed Oklahoma attorney with at least 10 years of experience in complex civil litigation, business law and/or previous experience as a civil court judge.
During presentation on the House floor on May 8, lawmakers amended SB 632 to push back the effective date one year to July 1, 2027, meaning Stitt's successor would be in charge of appointing the first business court judges. House lawmakers also agreed to add a paragraph that requires all parties to agree on having their case be heard in business court.
If the Senate agrees to those changes sometime in the next three weeks, it will go to the governor for his signature. The lawmaker who presented the bill in the House, state Rep. Collin Duel, R-Guthrie, said he didn't know whether the Senate would agree to the changes.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: SB 632 to create business court in Tulsa, Oklahoma counties advances
