Oklahoma House Bill HB2098

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/5/25

Caption

Court fees; forcible entry and detainer; effective date.

Summary

HB2098 amends Oklahoma’s court filing fee statute to increase the flat filing fee for forcible entry and detainer actions, which are eviction-related cases. The bill revises 28 O.S. Section 152, where district court filing fees are listed for a wide range of civil matters, and specifically raises the fee for forcible entry and detainer from the current amount to $100. It also retains the broader structure of court costs and special assessments that are added to certain filings for state and county funds. The bill keeps in place the existing fee framework for other civil actions, including divorce, probate, adoption, garnishment, and general civil cases, while continuing various add-on assessments for the Law Library Fund, Oklahoma Court Information System Revolving Fund, CASA, judicial complaints, interpreter services, courthouse security, and records management. It also preserves the in forma pauperis process for litigants who can show poverty and inability to pay, and allows payment by credit/debit card or other electronic methods. The act would take effect November 1, 2025.

Impact

HB2098 would directly change Oklahoma court-cost law by increasing the filing fee for forcible entry and detainer cases, affecting landlords, tenants, and others involved in eviction proceedings. Because forcible entry and detainer actions are commonly used in landlord-tenant disputes, the bill would raise the upfront cost of initiating those cases in district court. The measure does not alter the underlying substantive eviction law, but it does adjust the financial burden of accessing the court system in these matters and leaves existing fee assessments and fee-waiver procedures intact.

Sentiment

Based on the available context, the bill appears to have been introduced as a routine court-fee adjustment and was referred to the Civil Judiciary committee, with no recorded votes or committee debate provided. There is no evidence in the supplied materials of organized support or opposition, but the subject matter suggests the proposal is likely to be viewed as a fiscal or administrative change rather than a major policy shift. The absence of transcripts or votes limits the ability to gauge broader sentiment beyond the bill’s procedural movement.

Contention

The main point of contention is likely the increase in filing costs for forcible entry and detainer actions, since that change affects eviction-related litigation and could be viewed as making it more expensive for landlords or other plaintiffs to file those cases. Any concern about access to justice would likely come from those worried that higher filing fees could discourage or burden litigants, especially in housing disputes. On the other hand, supporters would likely emphasize court funding, administrative costs, and the continued availability of fee waivers for indigent litigants. No specific objections or proponents are identified in the provided record.