FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THEIR HELP. ONE OF GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT S PRIORITIES OF THE YEAR WAS JUST STRUCK DOWN AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THE GOVERNOR PUSHED A SYSTEM OF BUSINESS COURTS THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE, BUT THE STATE SUPREME COURT JUST HALTED THE PROGRAM. NEW TONIGHT. KOCO ALEX JONES BROKE DOWN TODAY’S RULING AND HAS LAWMAKER REACTION TO IT. SENATE BILL 632, WHICH WAS TO CREATE A BUSINESS COURT SO THAT WE COULD HAVE A MORE BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE. IN MAY, THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE PASSED AND GOVERNOR STITT SIGNED SENATE BILL 632 INTO LAW, CREATING TWO BUSINESS COURTS, ONE IN OKC AND ONE IN TULSA. BUT ONE MONTH AFTER THE GOVERNOR SIGNED IT INTO LAW, A GROUP OF ATTORNEYS CHALLENGED IT. THEIR ARGUMENT IT VIOLATES VOTERS RIGHTS SINCE THE JUDGES SPEARHEADING THE BUSINESS COURTS WOULD BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, NOT ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. NOW, AFTER A MONTHS LONG BATTLE, OKLAHOMA’S SUPREME COURT FILED THIS OPINION AGREEING THE LAW IS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT TOLD KOCO WEDNESDAY THIS DECISION STANDS IN STARK CONTRAST TO OUR REPUTATION AS THE MOST BUSINESS FRIENDLY STATE, AND THAT THERE’S STILL A PATH FORWARD FOR BUSINESS COURTS. BUT WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? THE OPINION SAYS THERE’S TEN DAYS TO ASK FOR A REHEARING, AND SENATOR SHANE JETT SAYS THERE’S ANOTHER AVENUE THEY COULD TAKE. WE CAN BYPASS THEM, GO DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE AND HAVE A VOTE TO CHANGE THE CONSTITUTION THAT THEY CITE. HE SAYS HE BELIEVES THE LAW WAS SHOT DOWN BECAUSE OF POLITICAL IDEOLOGY, AND CREATING BUSINESS COURTS WOULD NOT ONLY HELP BRING BUSINESS TO OKLAHOMA, BUT CLEAN UP A COURT SYSTEM FACING BACKLOG. TIME IS MONEY, AND IF YOU’RE WASTING TIME ON A COURT DOCKET THAT’S OVERBURDENED, IT’S COSTING YOUR BUSINESS MONEY. I AM STRONGLY SUPPORT GOVERNOR STITT’S EFFORTS TO HAVE A BUSINESS COURT SO THAT ONE, WE CAN RELIEVE SOME OF THE PRESSURE IN FAMILY COURTS, BECAUSE WE’RE GOING THROUGH A SITUATION RIGHT NOW IN OKLAHOMA WHERE FAMILIES ARE BEING HURT BY DHS. THREE, THAT THAT BANDWIDTH UP SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON GETTING BUSINESSES DOING WHAT THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO DO, CREATE JOBS AND WEALTH FOR THE UNITED STATES, AND FREE UP THE COURT SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN GET RID OF THE BACKLOG. WE HAVE THE GOVERNOR’S FULL STATEMENT, AS WELL AS THE FULL OPINION FROM THE SUPREME COURT ON KOCO.COM IN
Oklahoma Supreme Court rules business courts unconstitutional
A group of attorneys argues two business courts violate voters rights
Updated: 10:38 PM CDT Oct 8, 2025
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The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled Senate Bill 632 unconstitutional, halting the establishment of business courts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, a key initiative of Gov. Kevin Stitt aimed at fostering a business-friendly state.In May, the Oklahoma Legislature passed and Gov. Stitt signed Senate Bill 632 into law, creating two business courts. However, a group of attorneys challenged the law, arguing it violated voters’ rights because the judges would be appointed by the governor rather than elected by the people. After a months-long legal battle, the Supreme Court agreed with the attorneys’ argument.>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channelGov. Stitt expressed his disappointment with the decision, saying, “This decision stands in stark contrast to our reputation as the most business-friendly state,” and noted that there is still a path forward for business courts. The Supreme Court’s opinion allows for a 10-day period to request a rehearing.State Sen. Shane Jett, a supporter of the bill, said, “Senate Bill 632 was to create a business court so we could have a more business-friendly state.” He believes the law was rejected due to political ideology and emphasized the potential benefits of business courts in reducing court system backlog and attracting business to Oklahoma. “Time is money, and if you’re wasting time on a court docket that’s overburdened, it’s costing your business money,” Jett said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Jett also suggested an alternative approach, stating, “We can bypass them, go directly to the people and have a vote to change the constitution that they cite.” He strongly supports Gov. Stitt’s efforts, saying, “I strongly support Governor Stitt’s efforts to have a business court so one, we can relieve some of the pressure in family courts because we’re going through a situation right now where families are being hurt by DHS, free that bandwidth up so we can focus on getting businesses doing what they’re supposed to, create jobs and wealth for the United States, and free up the court system so we can get rid of the backlog.”Top HeadlinesFormer Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters under new investigation related to his departureLive updates: It’s Day 2 of Prime Big Deal Days. We’re tracking the deals you need to know aboutFormer Oklahoma Senate leader files lawsuit over son’s crash on I-40Fire crews fight back flames at a vacant SW OKC restaurant overnightGet the Facts: How often do government shutdowns occur?
The Oklahoma Supreme Court has ruled Senate Bill 632 unconstitutional, halting the establishment of business courts in Oklahoma City and Tulsa, a key initiative of Gov. Kevin Stitt aimed at fostering a business-friendly state.
In May, the Oklahoma Legislature passed and Gov. Stitt signed Senate Bill 632 into law, creating two business courts. However, a group of attorneys challenged the law, arguing it violated voters’ rights because the judges would be appointed by the governor rather than elected by the people. After a months-long legal battle, the Supreme Court agreed with the attorneys’ argument.
>> Download the KOCO 5 App | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
Gov. Stitt expressed his disappointment with the decision, saying, “This decision stands in stark contrast to our reputation as the most business-friendly state,” and noted that there is still a path forward for business courts. The Supreme Court’s opinion allows for a 10-day period to request a rehearing.
State Sen. Shane Jett, a supporter of the bill, said, “Senate Bill 632 was to create a business court so we could have a more business-friendly state.” He believes the law was rejected due to political ideology and emphasized the potential benefits of business courts in reducing court system backlog and attracting business to Oklahoma. “Time is money, and if you’re wasting time on a court docket that’s overburdened, it’s costing your business money,” Jett said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Jett also suggested an alternative approach, stating, “We can bypass them, go directly to the people and have a vote to change the constitution that they cite.”
He strongly supports Gov. Stitt’s efforts, saying, “I strongly support Governor Stitt’s efforts to have a business court so one, we can relieve some of the pressure in family courts because we’re going through a situation right now where families are being hurt by DHS, free that bandwidth up so we can focus on getting businesses doing what they’re supposed to, create jobs and wealth for the United States, and free up the court system so we can get rid of the backlog.”
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