A measure significantly reforming court fees has been approved by the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, developed House Bill 1460 following an interim study she hosted where she heard from former inmates that the fees were often overwhelming. HB1460 seeks to eliminate many of the unnecessary fees levied against individuals involved in the criminal justice system.

"Our current system strains our criminal justice system, hinders reentry efforts and traps individuals in a never-ending cycle of debt and criminal justice involvement," West said. "For too long, these fees have done more harm than good and have stood as barriers to successful reentry. House Bill 1460 gives people a real second chance to get back on their feet after incarceration."

HB1460 would eliminate the following low-yield fees, based on 2022 data:

• Electronic monitoring fee (up to $300/month) – Collected by the Department of Corrections, with only $200,000 of the $700,000 assessed successfully collected.
• $40 indigent defense application fee – Assessed by court clerks and frequently waived by judges, generating just $26,976.88.
• $15 DPS Impaired Driver Database fee – Brought in $78,148.47.
• $5 Bureau of Narcotics Revolving Fund fee – Charged for misdemeanor marijuana possession, totaling $15,476.98.
• OSBI drug cleaning fee – Collected just $4.87.

Additionally, two fees assessed by the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services for Drug Abuse Education and Treatment would be affected. The programs will remain in place but would gain an alternative revenue source, as both current fees have a collection rate below 50% and generate less than $400,000. West noted that she is still working to develop a more stable funding stream for these programs.

West said these fees disproportionately affect people with limited financial means, leading to some collection rates as low as 25%. Many of these fees cost the state more to collect than they bring in. West argued that shifting away from relying on these fees will allow the state to focus on more reliable revenue sources.

"When we refuse to remove these substantial barriers, we continue to punish people well after they've served their time," West said. "House Bill 1460 is a step in the right direction toward eliminating unjust financial penalties that make it harder for Oklahomans to get back on their feet after incarceration. Without the burden of overwhelming fees, people will be better equipped to rebuild their lives and become productive members of society."

West added that she is continuing to work with agency heads to identify the fees that make the most sense to eliminate.

The House unanimously approved HB1460 with a 95-0 vote on Thursday. It now moves to the Senate, where it's authored by Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Kellyville.