As the Oklahoma Auto Body Association (OKABA) closes out 2025, the message from its leadership is clear: This past year was one of hard-won progress, growing unity among repairers, and escalating legislative challenges that will directly shape the industry’s future. With two controversial laws now in effect and a pivotal court hearing on the horizon, 2026 is expected to be one of the most consequential years Oklahoma repairers have ever faced.
“This has been a year of tremendous momentum — but also tremendous responsibility,” said OKABA President Jessica Stegner. “Repairers must stay engaged, stay informed, and stay proactive. The legislative environment is shifting quickly in Oklahoma, and shops need to be prepared.”
Legislative pressure defines 2025
Two recently enacted bills — SB641 and HB1084 — dominated repairers’ attention in 2025. While OKABA successfully worked to scale back SB641 from a broad, intrusive regulatory bill to a narrower rate-related measure, Stegner emphasized that the association still views both laws as harmful to consumers and repair professionals.
“These laws became effective on Nov. 1, and both pose serious concerns for safe repairs and for fair compensation,” she said. “We’ll be pursuing constitutional law recourse in 2026, and repairers need to understand how these changes can impact their operations and their customers.”
Among the key issues: restrictions that undermine a shop’s ability to enforce OEM procedures, caps on storage rates that hinder business sustainability, and the elimination of Assignment of Benefits (AOB), which forces consumers to navigate reimbursement disputes on their own.
“The groundwork laid this year — legislative awareness, grassroots engagement, and relationship-building — will directly influence how prepared Oklahoma repairers are heading into 2026,” Stegner added.
Strengthening the industry: training, community, and advocacy
Beyond the Capitol, 2025 was also a year of internal growth for OKABA. The association completed its first formal board election, welcoming Stegner as president and Gary Wano as vice president, while continuing to benefit from past president Bryan Burdette’s insight on the board.
OKABA also expanded its advocacy infrastructure by retaining Creative Capitol Strategies as its official lobbying partner — an important step in amplifying the collision repair industry’s voice at the statehouse.
More than just a day on the course — OKABA’s golf outings create space for members to strengthen relationships, exchange ideas, and grow together as a connected, informed repair community.Meanwhile, membership-focused activities flourished. Roundtables hosted at vo-tech centers across Oklahoma offered meaningful peer-to-peer discussions and increased awareness of OEM procedures, ADAS complexity, calibration needs, and the importance of thorough repair planning. OKABA’s annual golf event and community gatherings strengthened relationships and helped raise funds for ongoing legislative initiatives.
“The Oklahoma repair community is becoming more connected, more informed, and more unified,” Stegner noted. “That shared momentum is going to be critical in 2026.”
What Oklahoma repairers must prioritize in early 2026
Stegner highlighted three immediate actions for Oklahoma facilities as they prepare for the year ahead:
1. Monitor legislative activity and stay informed.
With SB641 and HB1084 now active law — and a constitutional challenge underway — shops must pay close attention to how these bills are interpreted and enforced in early 2026.
“Repairers cannot afford to be passive observers,” Stegner said. “Your awareness and engagement will directly impact your business.”
2. Double down on documentation and OEM procedures.
With insurer scrutiny increasing, thorough documentation is more critical than ever. This includes capturing all labor operations, accounting for all procedures not included, and ensuring ADAS-related and material-specific repairs follow documented manufacturer guidance.
“Shops that adopt consistent, high-quality repair planning will be in the strongest position,” Stegner said.
3. Invest in ongoing education and team development.
ADAS complexity is accelerating, bringing increased calibration requirements and more sophisticated materials into the repair process.
“Education must be a priority,” Stegner said. “The shops that commit to training today will lead the state tomorrow.”
2026: a year of strategic focus
OKABA’s first-quarter efforts will focus on the lawsuit, grassroots conversations, and expanded training opportunities.
Constitutional challenge moves forward
Peyton Bell of Bell Auto Body is leading the charge on a pivotal lawsuit challenging recent Oklahoma laws that impact safe repairs and consumer rights. His advocacy has become a central focus for repairers heading into 2026.According to Peyton Bell, owner of Bell Auto Body and the repairer leading the litigation, the injunction hearing — originally expected in late 2025 — has been moved to January after the attorney general requested additional time to gather information.
“This case is about protecting families and ensuring repairers can perform safe, OEM-compliant repairs without interference,” Bell said in an update to Autobody News. “It’s also about preserving the property rights and business autonomy of Oklahoma shops.”
Stegner added, “Our Q1 priority is ensuring these laws receive appropriate constitutional scrutiny. Repairers and consumers deserve clarity, fairness, and safety — and OKABA intends to fight for that.”
Expanded roundtables across Oklahoma
After strong participation in 2025, OKABA is launching seven vo-tech roundtables in 2026, particularly in areas outside the major metro regions.
“We’ve chosen not to host a traditional trade show in 2026,” Stegner explained. “Shops benefit more from focused, high-value conversations than from a large, once-a-year expo.”
High-impact training events
In March, Collision Advice will host a two-day training event from March 13 to 14, preceded by an evening social with food, networking, and dueling pianos.
A second educational event is scheduled for October in Tulsa, held at a popular casino venue to make the experience both practical and fun.
Fundraising for advocacy and litigation
In August, OKABA will host a fundraising event at Silverleaf Shotgun Sports in Guthrie, open to all who want to support legal efforts and legislative priorities.
Looking ahead: a year of preparedness and unity
Stegner emphasized that 2026 will be defined by intentional, strategic engagement.
“Next year is about deepening relationships, expanding education, and staying proactive,” she said. “Oklahoma repairers shouldn’t wait for problems to show up at their doorstep. OKABA is working to get ahead of them — but we need shops engaged with us to make that possible.”
For information on membership, sponsorship, legislative updates, events, or current litigation, visit www.okaba.org.
Leona Scott