SB 1277

                      An Act
ENROLLED SENATE
BILL NO. 1277  By: Alvord of the Senate
                                                and
                                         Hill of the House
       An Act relating to employment benefits; amending 40
       O.S. 2021, Section 2-417, as amended by Section 1,
       Chapter 309, O.S.L. 2024 (40 O.S. Supp. 2025, Section
       2-417), which relates to disqualification; modifying
       conditions for disqualification for certain benefits;
       specifying acceptable work search actions; updating
       statutory language; and providing an effective date.
SUBJECT:   Employment benefits
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
    SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     40 O.S. 2021, Section 2-417, as
amended by Section 1, Chapter 309, O.S.L. 2024 (40 O.S. Supp. 2025,
Section 2-417), is amended to read as follows:
    Section 2-417.
    SEEK AND ACCEPT WORK - WEEK OF OCCURRENCE DISQUALIFICATION.
    A. An individual shall be disqualified to receive benefits for
each week in which the individual shall have failed to do any of the
following:
    1. Diligently search for suitable employment at a pay rate
generally available in that area of the state in keeping with his or
her prior experience, education and training; or
    2. Make application for the minimum number of weekly work
search efforts as required by the Oklahoma Employment Security
Commission; or
    3. Present oneself as an applicant for employment in a manner
designed to encourage favorable employment consideration Conduct
three weekly search actions, or more if required by the Oklahoma
Employment Security Commission based on economic or geographic
factors.
    B. Acceptable work search actions shall be determined by the
Commission and shall include, but not be limited to:
   1.   Submitting a resume to an employer;
   2.   Completing and submitting a job application to an employer;
   3.   Attending and completing an interview with an employer;
    4. Participating in a work-related networking event sponsored
by the Commission such as a job club or fair, industry association
event, or networking group;
    5. Participating in reemployment services offered to the
claimant by the Commission or any other state employment service;
    6. Participating in a volunteer training opportunity likely to
lead to paid employment;
   7.   Taking a civil service exam for work in a government agency;
    8. Developing or uploading a complete resume in the state’s
employment service system for the purpose of obtaining employment;
or
    9. Any other work search activities prescribed by the
Commission.
    B. C. The requirements of subsection A of this section shall be
waived if the individual has been summoned to appear for jury duty
before any court of the United States or of any state. The waiver
will shall continue for as long as the individual remains on jury
duty pursuant to the original summons.
   SECTION 2.   This act shall become effective November 1, 2026.
ENR. S. B. NO. 1277  Page 2
   Passed the Senate the 9th day of March, 2026.
                                   Presiding Officer of the Senate
   Passed the House of Representatives the 5th day of May, 2026.
                                    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: _________________________________
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