ENGROSSED HOUSE BILL NO. 2686 Summary

• Requires any claim challenging the constitutionality of an Oklahoma state statute to be heard and ruled upon by a panel of at least three district judges from the judicial district where the case is pending.

• The panel must include the assigned district judge plus additional judges selected randomly; if the case has not yet been assigned a judge, all three panel members are randomly selected.

• If a judicial district lacks three available district judges, associate district judges may serve on the panel; if a three-judge panel still cannot be formed, the panel may consist of two judges.

• Mandates that any finding of a statute's unconstitutionality must be issued in a written opinion.

• Does not prevent the Oklahoma Supreme Court from assuming original jurisdiction under Section 4 of Article VII of the Oklahoma Constitution; becomes effective November 1, 2014.