Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session Status: In Committee 2 R cosponsors

SB 400 — Cities and towns; allowing municipalities to declare certain buildings as unoccupied. Effective date.

Last action — Placed on General Order

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 03, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

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A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 38% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

272 added · 33 removed

Plain-language change summary

The latest amendment to Senate Bill 400 increases several deadlines related to the handling of abandoned buildings from ten days to thirty days. This change allows municipalities more time to address issues surrounding abandoned properties, facilitating better planning and response to local concerns. Additionally, properties in probate or those on the National Register of Historic Places are now excluded from certain provisions, recognizing their unique legal and historical circumstances. Overall, these adjustments aim to improve municipal management of abandoned buildings while balancing property rights and public safety.

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SENATE CHAMBER STATE OF OKLAHOMA DISPOSITION FLOOR AMENDMENT No.
SENATE FLOOR VERSION March 4, 2025 AS AMENDED SENATE BILL NO.
________ COMMITTEE AMENDMENT (Date) I move to amend Senate Bill No.
400 By:
400 as follows:
Coleman of the Senate and Luttrell of the House 7 [ powers of municipalities - abandoned buildings - notice - hearing - action - duties - codification - effective date ] BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.
AMENDATORY 11 O.S.
2021, Section 22-112.4, is amended to read as follows:
Section 22-112.4.
A.
An abandoned building shall constitute a public nuisance because it:
On Page 2, Line 1, by striking after the word “least” and before the word “days’”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
Is detrimental to the public health, safety or welfare of the inhabitants of and visitors to the municipality;
On Page 2, Line 17, by striking after the word “than” and before the word “days”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
Causes increased municipal regulatory costs and increased municipal police and fire protection costs;
and 3.
Devalues abutting and nearby real properties.
B.
A municipal governing body may abate the public nuisance caused by an abandoned building within the municipal limits in accordance with the following procedures:
SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 1 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 1.
At least ten (10) days’ notice that an abandoned building is to be abated pursuant to the procedures for abatement set forth in this section shall be given to the owner of the property before the governing body holds a hearing.
A copy of the notice shall be sent by mail to the property owner at the address shown by the current year’s tax rolls in the office of the county treasurer.
Written notice shall also be sent by mail to any mortgage holder as shown by the records in the office of the county clerk to the last-known address of the mortgage holder.
At the time of mailing of notice to any property owner or mortgage holder, the municipality shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service, the receipt of which shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and address of the mailee.
However, if neither the property owner nor mortgage holder can be located, notice may be given by posting a copy of the notice on the property and by publication as defined in Section 1-102 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title.
Such notice shall be published once not less than ten (10) days prior to any hearing or action by the municipality pursuant to the provisions of this section;
2.
A hearing shall be held by the governing body to determine if the property is an abandoned building as defined by this section;
On Page 7, Line 7, by striking after the word “within” and before the word “days”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
Pursuant to a determination that the building is an abandoned building, the governing body may order the agents of the municipality to pursue abatement of the public nuisance caused by SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 2 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) the building and shall order the municipal clerk to place the building on an abandoned building list to be maintained by the clerk.
At any time after such determination and order, the agents of the municipality may cause the public nuisance to be abated as authorized in this section, and such abatement may continue until such time as the building is removed from the abandoned building list in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsection C of this section;
On Page 7, Line 15, by striking after the word “within”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
Abatement of an abandoned building by the municipality may include any or all of the following:
a.
any lawful municipal regulatory or municipal police and fire protection action in relation to the abandoned building or the owner of such building necessary or appropriate for the protection of inhabitants in and visitors to the municipality.
Upon receipt of any necessary warrant to authorize such action, the agents of the municipality are granted the right of entry onto the property for the performance of any such action as a governmental function of the municipality, b.
the quarterly assessment against the property on which the abandoned building is located and against the owner of the abandoned building of the actual costs of any municipal regulatory action taken in relation to SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 3 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) the abandoned building or the owner of such building as authorized above, c.
the assessment against the property on which the abandoned building is located and against the owner of the abandoned building of the actual costs of any municipal police or fire protection action taken in relation to the abandoned building or the owner of such building as authorized above, and d.
an assessment for any other actual expenses incurred by the municipality in relation to the abandoned building, including, but not limited to, the costs of notices, mailings and publications;
On Page 8, Line 22, by deleting after the word “least” and before the word “days’”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
After the determination that a building is an abandoned building, and before commencement of any of the abatement actions authorized by paragraphs 3 and 4 of this subsection, the municipal clerk shall file a notice of lien with the county clerk describing the property, the findings of the governing body at the hearing, and stating that the municipality claims a lien on the property for all abatement costs and that such costs shall also constitute the personal obligation of the property owner from and after the date of filing of the notice;
On Page 9, Line 14, by deleting after the word “than” and before the word “days”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
From and after the determination that a building is an abandoned building, and continuing until such time as the building is removed from the abandoned building list in accordance with the SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 4 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) procedures set forth in subsection C of this section, the municipal clerk shall determine the actual quarterly abatement costs for the abatement procedures authorized by this section.
7.
After such determination, the municipal clerk shall mail a statement of the actual quarterly abatement costs for the abatement procedures authorized by this section to the property owner and demand the payment of such costs by the owner.
On Page 10, Line 9, by deleting after the word “within” and before the word “days”, the word “ten (10)” and inserting the word “thirty (30)”;
In addition, a copy of the statement shall be mailed to any mortgage holder at the address provided for in paragraph 1 of this subsection.
8.
At the time of mailing of the statement of costs to any property owner or mortgage holder, the municipal clerk shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service, the receipt of which shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and address of the mailee;
On Page 10, Line 10 1/2, by inserting a new subsection E to read as follows and by relettering subsequent subsection:
and 7.
“E.
When full payment is made to the municipal clerk for actual abatement costs incurred and billed in accordance with paragraph 6 of this subsection, the municipal clerk shall send the property owner and any mortgage holder by mail a receipt for such payment;
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The provisions of this section shall not apply to property in probate or any individual property listed on the National Register of Historic Places.”;
but if payment attributable to the actual quarterly costs of such abatement is not made within six (6) months from the date of the mailing of the statement to the owner of such property, a lien in the actual amount of the abatement shall be filed against the abandoned building.
and 9.
Until finally paid, the costs and the interest thereon shall be the personal obligation of the property owner from and after the date the notice of lien was filed with the county SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 5 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) clerk.
By amending the title to conform.
In addition, the costs and the interest thereon shall be a lien against the property from the date the notice of lien was filed with the county clerk.
Submitted by:
The lien shall be coequal with the lien of ad valorem taxes and all other taxes and special assessments and shall be prior and superior to all other titles and liens against the property.
_______________________ Senator Coleman Coleman-YG-FA-SB400 3/9/2026 2:41 PM (Floor Amendments Only) Date and Time Filed:
The lien shall continue until the cost is fully paid.
Untimely Amendment Cycle Extended Secondary Amendment
A mineral interest, if severed from the surface interest and not owned by the surface owner, shall not be subject to any lien created pursuant to this section.
Upon receiving full payment, the municipal clerk shall forward to the county clerk a notice of discharge of the lien.
C.
Any owner or mortgage holder of any building determined by the governing body of the municipality to be an abandoned building pursuant to this section may petition the governing body in writing at any time after such determination for removal of such building from the abandoned building list maintained by the municipal clerk.
Any such petition shall be filed with the municipal clerk.
Within thirty (30) days after such petition is filed with the municipal clerk, the governing body shall hold a hearing to determine if the building is no longer an abandoned building.
Upon such a determination, the governing body shall order the building removed from the abandoned building list.
The municipal clerk shall comply with such order by removing the building from the abandoned building list;
provided, the real property on which the abandoned building is SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 6 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) located and the owner of such building shall remain liable for payment of any and all abatement costs incurred by the municipality prior to the determination and order by the governing body that the building should be removed from the abandoned building list.
Upon full payment of any costs certified against the property, the municipal clerk shall file a release of the notice of the lien in the county clerk’s office within ten (10) days after receiving such payment.
D.
The governing body may designate, by ordinance, an administrative officer or administrative body of the municipality to carry out any or all of the duties of the governing body specified in this section.
The property owner shall have the right of appeal to the governing body from any order of the administrative officer or administrative body.
Such appeal shall be taken by filing a written notice of appeal with the municipal clerk within ten (10) days after the administrative order is delivered or mailed to the owner at the address shown in the county treasurer records.
E.
For purposes of this section:
1.
“Abandoned building” means any building that is located within the municipality that is not currently occupied and has been declared unsecured, or dilapidated, or unoccupied pursuant to Section 22-112 or 22-112.1 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes this title or Section 2 of this act and remains in such condition;
and SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 7 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) 2.
“Owner” means the owner of record as shown by the most current tax roles rolls of the county treasurer.
F.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any property zoned and used for agricultural purposes.
G.
The officers, employees or agents of the municipality shall not be liable for any damages or loss of property due to the abatement of the public nuisance caused by an abandoned building performed pursuant to the provisions of this section or as otherwise provided by law.
SECTION 2.
NEW LAW A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 22-112.6 of Title 11, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.
A municipal governing body may declare buildings within its municipal limits to be unoccupied and subject to abatement, as provided in Section 22-112.4 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes, if such buildings:
1.
Have remained unoccupied for a continuous period of three hundred sixty-five (365) days or more and remain in such condition;
2.
Cause increased municipal regulatory costs and increased municipal police and fire protection costs;
and 3.
Devalue abutting and nearby real properties.
B.
At least ten (10) days’ notice that a building is to be declared unoccupied shall be given to the owner of the property before the governing body holds a hearing.
A copy of the notice SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 8 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) shall be posted on the property to be affected.
In addition, a copy of the notice shall be sent by mail to the property owner at the address shown by the current year’s tax rolls in the office of the county treasurer.
Written notice shall also be mailed to any mortgage holder as shown by the records in the office of the county clerk to the last-known address of the mortgagee.
At the time of mailing of notice to any property owner or mortgage holder, the municipality shall obtain a receipt of mailing from the postal service, which receipt shall indicate the date of mailing and the name and address of the mailee.
However, if neither the property owner nor mortgage holder can be located, notice may be given by posting a copy of the notice on the property, or by publication as defined in Section 1-102 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
The notice may be published once not less than ten (10) days prior to any hearing or action by the municipality pursuant to the provisions of this section.
C.
A hearing shall be held by the governing body to determine if the property meets the criteria provided in subsection A of this section.
The property owner or mortgage holder may present evidence at such hearing that he or she is actively working to remediate any concerns with the status of the property.
If the governing body determines that the condition of the property meets such criteria, the governing body may begin abatement of the property pursuant to SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 9 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments) the provisions of Section 22-112.4 of Title 11 of the Oklahoma Statutes.
D.
The municipality may designate, by ordinance, an administrative officer or administrative body to carry out the duties of the governing body specified in this section.
The property owner shall have the right of appeal to the municipal governing body from any order of the administrative officer or administrative body.
Such appeal shall be taken by filing written notice of appeal with the municipal clerk within ten (10) days after the administrative order is rendered.
E.
For the purposes of this section:
1.
“Owner” means the owner of record as shown by the most current tax rolls of the county treasurer;
and 2.
“Unoccupied” means a building located within the municipality that:
a.
is not being utilized as a place of residence or business, or b.
has no current tenant or occupant.
SECTION 3.
This act shall become effective November 1, 2025.
COMMITTEE REPORT BY:
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT March 4, 2025 - DO PASS AS AMENDED SENATE FLOOR VERSION - SB400 SFLR Page 10 (Bold face denotes Committee Amendments)
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Action History

  1. Placed on General Order

  2. Title stricken

  3. Reported Do Pass as amended Local and County Government committee; CR filed

  4. Coauthored by Representative Luttrell (principal House author)

  5. Second Reading referred to Local and County Government

  6. Authored by Senator Coleman

  7. First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Do Pass Amended

Passed 9 Yea · 0 Nay
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democrat 2000
Unaffiliated 0001
Total 9001
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (10)
Member Party Vote
STRIKE THE TITLE - ADOPTED — Not Voting
Nikki Nice Democrat Yea
Regina Goodwin Democrat Yea
Brenda Stanley Republican Yea
Dana Prieto Republican Yea
George Burns Republican Yea
Jack Stewart Republican Yea
Jerry Alvord Republican Yea
Kendal Sacchieri Republican Yea
Warren Hamilton Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

housing
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 400?
SB 400 is sponsored by Bill Coleman (Republican) and Ken Luttrell (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 400?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced February 03, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 400?
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