OK HB4272

Establishes the "Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act" requiring owners to apply for certificates of title within 30 days of ownership transfer or Oklahoma becoming the state of principal use for vessels and outboard motors exceeding 10 horsepower

Defines covered vessels as watercraft used for water transportation, excluding vessels under 16 feet propelled solely by sail/paddle/oar or engines under 10 horsepower, government-owned watercraft, canoes, kayaks, paddleboats (unless motorized), and several other categories; inboard motors are explicitly not required to be titled

Requires applications to include owner information, hull identification number, vessel description, known security interests, title brands, and hull damage history, along with supporting documentation such as existing certificates of title, certificates of origin, or bills of sale

Creates electronic certificates of title as the default format, with written certificates available upon request by secured parties or owners; Service Oklahoma must maintain searchable public records indexed by hull identification number

Establishes "Hull Damaged" title brand requirements with $1,000 penalties for owners or insurers who transfer hull-damaged vessels without proper disclosure or fail to apply for branded certificates

Exempts from title application requirements: federally documented vessels, foreign-documented vessels, barges, vessels under construction, and new vessels/motors held in dealer inventory for resale

Grants excise tax exemptions for certificates of title involving nonresident-owned vessels already registered elsewhere, inherited vessels, government-owned vessels, dealer inventory, lienholder acquisitions through foreclosure, corporate reorganizations, and qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on aquatic education

Authorizes Grand River Dam Authority as a licensed operator to award vessel numbers and issue certificates of title and registration for vessels and motors on waters under its jurisdiction

Specifies that vessel and motor registration fees are imposed in lieu of ad valorem taxes, and establishes a separate in lieu tax on new vessel and motor inventories held by licensed Oklahoma dealers