With Bob Sullivan’s victory over Marty Quinn in the Republican runoff for Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner on August 25, 2026, Oklahomans are one step closer to determining who will oversee the state’s insurance industry when a significant new rate-review law takes effect.
HB 3781, which goes into effect July 1, 2027, will change how insurance companies file certain rate changes in Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the measure will require insurers to submit proposed rate changes to the Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner at least 60 days before those rates can affect consumers.
Sullivan will now face Democratic nominee Craig MacIntyre in the November 2026 general election to determine who will serve as Oklahoma’s next Insurance Commissioner.
The timing makes this election particularly relevant to the implementation of HB 3781.
Sullivan has spoken publicly about the authority the law will give the Insurance Commissioner to scrutinize proposed rates.
“I certainly think that the ability of the Insurance Commissioner in July 2027, when the law kicks in, to challenge those actuarial rates and prove that they are based in fact and based on the loss history in our state should yield some positive results for homeowners’ rates.”
But homeowners insurance isn’t the only area affected by HB 3781.
The measure also applies to auto insurance rate filings. Insurers seeking rate changes will be required to submit them to the Oklahoma Insurance Department before they take effect, giving the Insurance Commissioner an opportunity to review the supporting data and determine whether the proposed rates meet the requirements of Oklahoma law.
The measure also adds another important element: transparency.
Approved rate changes will be made publicly available through the Oklahoma Insurance Department’s website, giving consumers greater visibility into when insurers are changing rates and how those changes are being reviewed.
MacIntyre has pointed to his actuarial background as a qualification for overseeing the department as these new requirements take effect. He has described himself as the only candidate in the race with actuarial experience and argues that experience would be particularly relevant when evaluating insurance rates and the data used to support them.
That means whoever wins in November will take office at an important moment for Oklahoma’s insurance market.
Beginning July 1, 2027, insurers will face additional scrutiny before certain rate changes reach consumers, while Oklahomans will have greater public access to information about those changes.
For Oklahoma drivers, HB 3781 could make something that has traditionally happened largely behind the scenes—the process insurers use to change rates—considerably more visible.
Learn more:
Bob Sullivan: https://votebobsullivan.com/
Craig MacIntyre: https://craigforcommish26.com/
HB 3781: https://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB3781&Session=2600