Oklahoma Supreme Court Stays Governor-Backed Business Court Law

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has temporarily stayed Senate Bill 632, a new law that would establish specialized business courts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, intended to handle high-dollar and complex commercial disputes starting in 2026. This follows a lawsuit challenging the law's constitutionality, particularly arguing that the appointment process of judges by the governor from nominees provided by the House Speaker violates voters' rights to elect district judges, and that the $1,500 filing fee restricts access to the courts. Governor Kevin Stitt, a strong proponent of the business courts, urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit, emphasizing that the plaintiffs lack standing as they have no actual injury or client affected by the law. Supporters argue that the business courts will make Oklahoma more attractive to businesses by providing legal certainty and expediting dispute resolution, while critics contend the law conflicts with constitutional provisions and disenfranchises voters. The court's stay will remain until the lawsuit is resolved, with the justices divided on the issue, reflecting differing interpretations of the law's alignment with the state constitution. The debate centers on whether these courts are a distinct entity from district courts, impacting the applicability of voter retention rights.