HB 2159 Summary

• Court clerks must notify the Oklahoma Tax Commission within 120 calendar days when a defendant fails to enter a plea or timely appear for arraignment in a traffic misdemeanor case.

• The Tax Commission may cancel vehicle registration for defendants who fail to appear, provided the defendant is the registered owner, and must provide 30 days' notice before cancellation.

• Defendants may avoid registration cancellation by providing proof within 30 days of notice that outstanding fines have been paid or the court has otherwise been satisfied.

• Court clerks are authorized to request (changed from "shall") that the Department of Public Safety suspend driving privileges, either in Oklahoma or through the Nonresident Violator Compact for non-residents.

• The act becomes effective November 1, 2017.