SB 453 Summary

• Creates the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act establishing a streamlined civil lawsuit process for cases seeking $250,000 or less in monetary damages, excluding interest, punitive damages, penalties, attorney fees, and costs.

• Limits discovery procedures to 180 days, restricts parties to 20 hours of witness depositions, 15 written interrogatories, 15 requests for production, and 15 requests for admissions.

• Requires trial dates within 90 days after discovery ends (with up to 60 days total continuances allowed) and limits each side to 8 hours for trial proceedings (extendable to 12 hours for good cause).

• Caps noneconomic damages at $500,000 for most bodily injury cases, but removes the cap for permanent severe physical injuries, substantial mental injuries causing employment impairment, and cases involving defendant's reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or malice; allows unlimited economic damages.

• Becomes effective September 1, 2025 and applies to injuries occurring on or after that date.