An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 540 By: Montgomery of the Senate
and
Sneed of the House
An Act relating to bail bondsmen; amending 59 O.S.
2021, Section 1308, which relates to bail bondsman
application processing; removing requirement for
applicants for licensure to appear in per son for
examination; allowing for licensure prior to certain
date; and declaring an emergency.
SUBJECT: Bail bondsmen
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE O F OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 59 O.S. 2021, Section 1308, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 1308. A. The applicant for bail bondsman licensure
shall be required to appear in person and take an examination
prepared by the Insurance Commissioner, testing the applicant’s
ability and qualifications to be a bail bondsman. Applicatio ns are
valid for three (3) months after submission. If an applicant has
not acted upon the application within t hat period, a new application
and fees shall be submitted for the appl icant to be considered for
licensure. Bail bondsman licenses issued prior to the effective
date of this act, as a result of a successful completion of a remote
examination, shall be valid licenses from the time of issuance.
B. Each applicant shall become elig ible for examination if the
applicant has completed sixteen (16) hours of education as required
by Section 1308.1 of this title prior to the exam ination.
ENR. S. B. NO. 540 Page 2
Examinations shall be he ld at times and places as designated by the
Commissioner.
C. The fee for the examination shall be One Hundred Dollars
($100.00). Results will be provided after the applicant is
examined.
D. The failure of an applicant t o pass an examination shall not
preclude the applicant from taking subsequent ex aminations;
provided, however, that at least thirty (30) days shall intervene
between examinations; and provided further, after a third or
subsequent examination failure, an ap plicant may not be examined for
at least one (1) year after the last examination failure.
SECTION 2. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take e ffect and
be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
ENR. S. B. NO. 540 Page 3
Passed the Senate the 22nd day of February, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the Senate
Passed the House of Representatives the 24th day of April, 2023.
Presiding Officer of the House
of Representatives
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __
Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _____ ____
day of _________________ __, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _____ __ M.
_________________________________
Governor of the State of Oklahoma
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE
Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this _______ ___
day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By: _______________________________ __