Oklahoma Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat spoke at the state Capitol during the Oklahoma Press Association Legislative Summit, discussing a measure that would establish business courts in Tulsa and Oklahoma City. The bill, known as Senate Bill 473, had been approved with a vote of 37-6 and was now awaiting consideration in the House.
The creation of business courts was part of Governor Kevin Stitt’s budget negotiations, with the governor requesting their establishment as a way to attract corporations to the state. In exchange for not vetoing the budget, the governor agreed to support the measure. The bill involves the formation of an 11-member task force that will study the implementation of a business court system in Oklahoma.
Business courts are designed to handle complex disputes and litigation efficiently. The task force is required to submit a final report by January 1, 2026, outlining their findings and recommendations. Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat highlighted the importance of business courts in attracting corporations to a state and emphasized that they offer a swift resolution to legal matters.
However, some lawmakers expressed concerns about ensuring that the task force remains objective. Sen. Mary Boren raised questions about potential conflicts of interest and how they might impact businesses. Sen. Julia Kirt also expressed concerns about how these courts might impact existing court structures and processes in Oklahoma.
Despite these concerns, there is support for establishing business courts in Oklahoma as they could provide a comprehensive analysis of the benefits and challenges associated with such systems in our state.
Overall, this bill seeks to provide an efficient solution for handling complex disputes and litigation while attracting more corporations into our state through swift resolution of legal matters.
