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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
SENATE BILL 1860 By: Standridge
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to turnpikes; amending 69 O.S. 2021,
Section 1705, as amended by Section 572, Chapter 486,
O.S.L. 2025 (69 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section 1705), which
relates to the powers and duties of the Oklahoma
Turnpike Authority; clarifying legislative intent;
limiting certain powers of the Authority; updating
statutory language; updating statutory references;
and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 69 O.S. 2021, Section 1705, as
amended by Section 572, Chapter 486, O.S.L. 2025 (69 O.S. Supp.
2025, Section 1705), is amended to read as follows:
Section 1705. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority is hereby
authorized and empowered:
(a) To adopt bylaws for the regulation of its affairs and
conduct of its business.
(b) To adopt an official seal and alter the same at pleasure.
(c) To maintain an office at such place or places within the
state as it may designate.
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(d) To sue and be sued in contract, reverse condemnation,
equity, mandamus, and similar actions in its own name, plead and be
impleaded; provided, that any and all actions at law or in equity
against the Authority shall be brought in the county in which the
principal office of the Authority shall be located, or in the county
of the residence of the plaintiff, or the county where the cause of
action arose. All privileges granted to the Authority and duties
enjoined upon the Authority by the provisions of Sections 1701
through 1734 1736 of this title may be enforced in a court of
competent jurisdiction in an action in mandamus.
(e) To construct, maintain, repair, and operate turnpike
projects and highways, with their access and connecting roads, at
such locations and on such routes as it shall determine determined
to be feasible and economically sound; provided, that until
specifically authorized by the Legislature, the Authority shall be
authorized to construct and operate toll turnpikes only at the
following locations and routes:
(1) The Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
(2) The Southwestern (H.E. Bailey) Turnpike between Oklahoma
City and Wichita Falls, Texas.
(3) The Northeastern (Will Rogers) Turnpike between Tulsa and
Joplin, Missouri.
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(4) The Eastern (Indian Nation) Turnpike between Tulsa and
Paris, Texas, including all or any part thereof between McAlester
and the Red River south of Hugo.
(5) The Cimarron Turnpike between Tulsa and Interstate Highway
35 north of Perry, including a connection to Stillwater.
(6) The Muskogee Turnpike between Broken Arrow and Interstate
Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls.
(7) All or any part of an extension of the Muskogee Turnpike,
beginning at a point on Interstate Highway 40 near the present south
terminus of the Muskogee Turnpike, and extending in a southeasterly
direction on an alignment near Stigler, Poteau, and Heavener to the
vicinity of the Arkansas State Line state line to furnish access to
Hot Springs, Texarkana, Shreveport, and New Orleans.
(8) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in the vicinity of
Luther, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of the intersection of State
Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike in Creek County, Oklahoma, or in the
vicinity of the intersection of State Highway 33 and Turner Turnpike
or U.S. Highway 66 in Creek County, Oklahoma, from any monies
available to the Authority.
(9) Add on the Will Rogers Turnpike a northbound automatic
tollgate onto State Highway 28 and a southbound on-ramp from State
Highway 28.
(10) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the
vicinity of Duncan extending east to the vicinity of the City of
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Davis, and extending in a northeasterly direction, by way of the
vicinity of the City of Ada, to a connection in the vicinity of
Henryetta or in the vicinity of the intersection of State Highway 48
and Interstate 40; and a turnpike or any part or parts thereof from
the vicinity of Snyder extending north to the vicinity of Woodward.
(11) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a
point in the vicinity of Ponca City, or at a point on the Kansas-
Oklahoma state boundary line east of the Arkansas River and west of
the point where Oklahoma State Highway No. 18 intersects said such
state boundary line, and extending in a southeasterly direction to a
connection with the Tulsa Urban Expressway System in the general
area of the Port of Catoosa.
(12) All or any part of an Oklahoma City toll expressway system
connecting the residential, industrial, and State Capitol Complex in
the north part of Oklahoma City with the residential, industrial,
and Will Rogers World Airport Complex in the south and southwest
parts of Oklahoma City.
(13) A turnpike (The Industrial Parkway) or any part or parts
thereof beginning at a point on the Oklahoma-Kansas state boundary
line between the point where U.S. Highway 66 intersects the boundary
line and the northeast corner of Oklahoma and ending by means of a
connection or connections with Shreveport, Louisiana, and Houston,
Texas, in southeastern Oklahoma and at no point to exceed thirty
(30) miles west of the Missouri or Arkansas border.
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(14) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the
vicinity of Velma or County Line Countyline to a point intersecting
with Interstate 35 in the area south of Davis.
(15) A turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning in the
vicinity of Watonga and extending south and/or or east to the
vicinity of north and/or or west Oklahoma City.
(16) A tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike near the
intersection of State Highway 137 and the Will Rogers Turnpike,
located south of Quapaw.
(17) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike in the vicinity of
Porter, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Will Rogers Turnpike in the
vicinity of Adair, Oklahoma, a tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in
the vicinity of Luther, Oklahoma, and a tollgate on the H.E. Bailey
Turnpike at Elgin, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the
Authority.
(18) A tollgate on the Turner Turnpike in the vicinity of
Wellston, Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.
(19) A tollgate on the Muskogee Turnpike in the vicinity of
Brushy Mountain, Oklahoma, and in the vicinity of Elm Grove,
Oklahoma, from any monies available to the Authority.
(20) All or any part of an Oklahoma City Outer Loop expressway
system beginning in the vicinity of I-35 Interstate 35 and the
Turner Turnpike and extending west into Canadian County and then
south to I-40 Interstate 40; and then south and east to I-35
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Interstate 35 in the vicinity of Moore and Norman; and then
extending east and north to I-40 Interstate 40 east of Tinker Field;
and then extending north to the Turner Turnpike to complete the
Outer Loop.
(21) All or any part of the Tulsa south bypass expressway
system beginning in the vicinity of the Turner Turnpike near Sapulpa
and extending south and east to U.S. Highway 75 in the vicinity of
96th Street to 121st Street; and then east across the Arkansas River
to a connection with the Mingo Valley Expressway; and then south
and/or or east to a point on the Tulsa-Wagoner County Line county
line near 131st Street south in the city City of Broken Arrow.
(22) A new turnpike or any part thereof from near the west gate
of the Will Rogers Turnpike south to the west end of south Tulsa
Turnpike at the Tulsa-Wagoner County Line county line.
(23) A new turnpike or any parts thereof from the vicinity of
the connection between State Highway 33 and U.S. Highway 69 easterly
to the Arkansas State Line state line.
(24) A four-lane extension of the Muskogee Turnpike from
Interstate Highway 40 west of Webbers Falls to the Poteau vicinity.
(25) A new turnpike or any part or parts thereof beginning at a
point in the vicinity of northwest Tulsa, and extending in a
northwesterly direction, by means of a connection or connections
with the cities of Pawhuska and Newkirk, to a point intersecting in
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the vicinity of U.S. Highway No. 77 and the Kansas State Line state
line.
(26) A full access interchange on the Indian Nation Turnpike
south of Interstate 40, in the vicinity of Henryetta, Oklahoma, and
in the vicinity of the proposed theme park, museum, or an industrial
facility which qualifies for the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act,
from any monies available to the Authority.
(27) A new turnpike beginning at a point directly west of the
Arkansas line and four-laning U.S. Highway 70 from that point to the
farthest western reach within the bounds of Oklahoma of U.S. Highway
70 creating a southern route through Oklahoma.
(28) A new turnpike and bridge or any parts thereof from a
point in the vicinity of the city City of Mustang southerly across
the South Canadian River to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike in the vicinity
of the city City of Tuttle; and then easterly across the South
Canadian River to a point in the vicinity of the city City of
Norman.
(29) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point
in the vicinity of the city City of Altus and extending in a
northwesterly direction to a point in the vicinity of the city City
of Sayre.
(30) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at a point
in the vicinity of the city City of Enid and extending in a westerly
direction to a point in the vicinity of the city City of Woodward.
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(31) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof at Fletcher,
Oklahoma, in the vicinity of the Interstate 44 and State Highway 277
intersection. Any existing on- or off-ramp or any parts thereof in
the vicinity of Fletcher, Oklahoma, shall not be removed and shall
be maintained pursuant to Section 1701 et seq. of this title.
(32) A new bridge crossing the Arkansas River between South
Delaware Avenue and Memorial Drive in Tulsa County. This project
shall commence upon a determination by the Oklahoma Transportation
Turnpike Authority that such bridge shall be self-sufficient at some
point over a thirty-year time period from the toll charges
associated with the bridge project.
(33) An exit ramp or any parts thereof from the eastbound lane
of the Turner Turnpike at 96th Street in Tulsa.
(34) An on- and off-ramp or any parts thereof on the Cimarron
Turnpike in the vicinity of the northside of the Glencoe, Oklahoma,
municipal limits.
(35) A new turnpike or any parts thereof beginning at
Interstate 44 at or near its intersection with 49th West Avenue,
past State U.S. Highway 64/412, turning northeasterly, crossing 41st
West Avenue, and continuing eastward to the L.L. Tisdale Expressway
in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
It is hereby declared to be the intent of the Legislature that
the Legislature, through duly enacted legislation, and not the
Authority, shall have the sole discretion to authorize and determine
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the location and overall route of a toll turnpike in this state.
Courts shall not give deference to any interpretation of this
section by the Authority and shall instead construe this section
independently according to its plain and ordinary meaning.
The language set forth in any turnpike route authorization in
this subsection, or elsewhere in this section, is to be construed
according to its plain meaning as mandatory, and not discretionary,
for the Authority. All directional and other limitations and
descriptions contained in any toll turnpike location or route
authorization are mandatory limits on the Authority’s powers and not
discretionary guidelines. The Authority shall abide by the plain
and ordinary language of such limits and shall not have the
discretion or power to build turnpikes in places, directions, or
locations other than those expressly and specifically authorized
herein. Any rule of construction contained in this section or
elsewhere shall not be employed in variance or conflict with the
intent of the Legislature as expressed herein.
All access roads, interchanges, or lead roads connecting such
turnpikes with existing highways must be built by funds furnished by
the Authority.
The minimum and maximum wages for the construction of the roads,
highways and projects provided for in Sections 1701 through 1734
1736 of this title shall be in accordance with the schedules of
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wages used or adopted by the Commission in construction of state
highways.
The Authority is hereby authorized to enter into contracts or
agreements with agencies and instrumentalities of other states or
the national government for construction, maintenance, and operation
of interstate turnpikes or highways.
The Authority is hereby required to construct and install
automatic tollgates on the Will Rogers Turnpike at State Highway No.
28 near Adair.
(f) To issue turnpike revenue bonds of the Authority, payable
solely from revenues, including the revenues accruing to the trust
fund created by Sections 1701 through 1734 1736 of this title, for
the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost of any one or more
turnpike projects. Provided that any bonds issued for the
construction of the proposed turnpike referred to in subparagraphs
(10), (20), (21), and (22) of paragraph (e) of this section shall be
issued as one issue for all four of the proposed turnpikes and shall
be financed, constructed, and operated under one bond indenture.
(g) To fix and revise from time to time tolls for the use of
any turnpike projects.
Any common carrier having authority at the time of opening any
turnpike project to operate upon a highway approximately paralleling
the turnpike project shall be granted without further showing
authority to operate over the turnpike project to all municipalities
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which such carrier is serving at the time the turnpike project is
opened to traffic. But nothing herein shall be construed as
granting any new operation rights to any common carriers.
(h) To acquire, hold, and dispose of real and personal property
in the exercise of its powers and the performance of its duties.
(i) To acquire in the name of the Authority by purchase or
otherwise on such terms and conditions and in such manner as it may
deem proper, or by exercise of the right of condemnation in manner
hereinafter provided, such public or private lands, including public
parks, playgrounds, or reservations, or parts thereof or rights
therein, rights-of-way, property, rights, easements, and interests,
as it may deem necessary for carrying out the provisions of Sections
1701 through 1734 1736 of this title; provided, that all public
property damaged in carrying out the powers granted by Sections 1701
through 1734 1736 of this title shall be restored or repaired and
placed in its original condition as nearly as practicable.
(j) To designate, except as is provided for herein, the
location, and establish, limit, and control such points of ingress
to and egress from each turnpike project as may be necessary or
desirable in the judgment of the Authority to insure ensure the
proper operation and maintenance of such project, and to prohibit
entrance to such project from any point or points not so designated.
The provisions of this subsection shall not be construed as an
independent or additional source of authority to construct a toll
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turnpike at any location or route other than those expressly
authorized by the Legislature in subsection (e) of this section.
(k) To make and enter into all contracts and agreements
necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the
execution of its powers, and to employ consulting engineers,
attorneys, accountants, construction and financial experts,
superintendents, managers, and such other employees and agents as
may be necessary in its judgment, and to fix their compensation;
provided, that all such expenses shall be payable solely from the
proceeds of turnpike revenue bonds issued under the provisions of
Sections 1701 through 1734 1736 of this title or from revenues;
provided, further, no attorney employed by the Authority, nor any
member of any law firm of which the attorney may be connected, shall
ever be paid any fee or compensation for any special or
extraordinary services.
(l) To receive and accept from any federal agency grants for or
in aid of the construction of any turnpike project, provided, the
acceptance of such grants will not reduce the amount of federal aid
for the construction, repair, or maintenance of farm-to-market roads
and other highways and bridges in this state; and to receive and
accept aid or contributions from any source of either money,
property, labor, or other things of value, to be held, used, and
applied only for the purposes for which such grants and
contributions may be made.
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(m) To adopt such rules, and to do any and all things necessary
to comply with rules, regulations, or requirements of the Bureau of
Public Roads, Multistate Economic Development Regional Commission,
as defined in Sections 1151 through 1153, inclusive, of Title 74 of
the Oklahoma Statutes, Ozarka Region Commission Federal Highway
Administration or any other federal agency administering any law
enacted by the Congress of the United States to aid or encourage the
construction of highways.
(n) To do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the
powers expressly granted in Sections 1701 through 1734 1736 of this
title. The design standards for all paving shall comply with the
design standards of the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials as modified by the Oklahoma Department of
Transportation. All contracts for construction work on turnpike
projects shall be let to the lowest responsible bidder, or bidders,
after notice by publication in a newspaper published in the county
where the work is to be done in two consecutive weekly issues of the
newspaper. In all cases where more than eight (8) miles of
construction is let at the same time and is not an advertisement for
a surface-treatment-only project, such advertisement shall provide
for bids on sections of the turnpike not to exceed eight (8) miles.
If the project advertised is a surface-treatment-only project of
more than twenty (20) miles of road, the advertisement shall provide
for bids on sections of the road no longer than twenty (20) miles,
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as well as bids on the project as a whole. Subject to the following
restrictions and limitations, the Authority shall, when contracting
for construction work, divide such work into paving projects, bridge
projects, including underpasses and overpasses, and earthmoving or
miscellaneous projects, according to the type of work to be done.
Each project shall be let under a separate contract or contracts and
no contract or project shall include more than one of such types of
construction work. Each contract for construction work shall
contain a provision that ninety percent (90%) of all labor employed
on the project shall be residents of Oklahoma. However, contracts
for bridges may include earthwork and structures for the approaches
thereto.
(o) It shall be unlawful for any member, officer or employee of
the Authority to transact with the Authority, either directly or
indirectly, any business for profit of such member, officer, or
employee; and any person, firm, or corporation knowingly
participating therein shall be equally liable for violation of this
provision.
The term “business for profit” shall include, but not be limited
to, the acceptance or payment of any fee, commission, gift, or
consideration to such member, officer, or employee.
Violation of this provision shall constitute a Class D1 felony
offense punishable by incarceration as provided for in subsections B
through F of Section 20N of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes, or a
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fine of not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and not more
than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00), or both such imprisonment
and fine.
(p) In the event of a national emergency, the Authority,
subject to any vested rights or claims, may enter into contracts
with the federal government or any authorized agency thereof to
allow the federal government or agency thereof to use such turnpikes
partly or exclusively during the existence of such emergency,
provided, that the federal government agrees in such contract to
pay, during the term of such contract, an amount sufficient, when
added to any tolls collected, to meet all operating and maintenance
expenses, interest payments, and the minimum sinking fund and
reserve requirements of the trust agreement for the turnpike covered
by the contract.
(q) All meetings of the Authority shall be open public
meetings, and all records shall be public records, except when
considering personnel or litigation.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
60-2-2845 MSBB 1/15/2026 6:44:22 AM