The Marissa Murrow Act: What It Means for Your Oklahoma Event

Marissa Murrow's mother, Kristy Murrow, said in a June 2026 OKCFox report that alcohol should be served by someone trained to spot intoxication, cut people off when needed and make sure guests have safe rides home. In a 2025 Oklahoma House release, the family said it is their hope that "other families can be spared the tragedy of losing a loved one to impaired driving."

Marissa was a 19-year-old sophomore at the University of Central Oklahoma when she was killed by an impaired driver in October 2020. According to the Oklahoma House, the driver had been overserved at a wedding venue.

Her family pushed for change at the State Capitol, working with lawmakers including their representative, Rep. Brian Hill, who wrote the bill. Her story is theirs to tell. I'll keep to what the law asks of the people who pour, and what it means for your event.

What the Marissa Murrow Act Does

House Bill 2369, known as the Marissa Murrow Act, passed both chambers of the Oklahoma Legislature in 2025 and has been in effect since July 1, 2026. Here's what it changes for the events you're planning:

1. It requires a licensed server for every drink at a rented venue

To pour at a rented event venue, a bartender now needs an Event Bartender License from Oklahoma's ABLE Commission, unless they hold a caterer or mixed beverage license. At a rented event venue, even BYOB drinks must be served by a licensed bartender. The rule doesn't apply at government-owned sites or at sites owned, leased or occupied by 501(c)(3) charities.

2. The license belongs to the bartender

The Event Bartender License is issued to a person, not a company. Licensed event bartenders are 21 or older, and the license lasts one year. An Employee License, the kind bar and restaurant staff carry, does not cover event venues.

3. It requires intoxication training

Each Event Bartender License holder must finish an in-person class within 14 days after the license is issued. Online courses do not count. Approved classes cover spotting intoxication and preventing over-service. Rep. Hill told News 9 the day the law took effect, "All we've done is make sure that the same requirements that are already in law are also in place when someone is at a venue consuming alcohol."

Who Is Responsible at the Venue

ABLE's fact sheet for venues says no specific license is required for the venue itself. It adds: "Depending on the contractual agreement, the host or the venue must ensure the presence of a licensed event bartender during the event." Nothing in the law requires a venue to check a bartender's license, though ABLE calls checking best practice. A bartender who breaks the rule can lose the license.

What This Means for You

As you plan your event

• Ask your venue how alcohol service is handled, and whether your contract makes you or the venue responsible for having a licensed bartender there.
• Confirm your bartenders each hold an Event Bartender License, unless they hold a caterer or mixed beverage license.
• Request proof: a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you and the venue as additional insured.

If the venue is yours

• Require licensed bartenders so every drink at your venue is served by someone who holds an Event Bartender License, or a caterer or mixed beverage license.
• Update your vendor requirements so every bartender who pours at your venue is licensed.
• Review your contracts to spell out who is responsible for alcohol service.

Why This Law Matters for Your Day

This isn't about paperwork. Rep. Hill also told News 9, "We wanted to protect families, protect venues and keep our roads safer." A trained, licensed bartender is the kind of safeguard you want quietly working in the background while you celebrate.

If you're planning an event in Oklahoma, the people pouring drinks for your guests should be trained and licensed. At a rented event venue, the law requires a licensed server. Anywhere else, it's still the right call.

Service That Protects Your Guests

Every bartender we send holds Oklahoma's Event Bartender License. Throughout the event, our bartenders watch consumption and pace the bar. In the last hour, we make a point of passing out waters so every guest stays hydrated and gets home safely.

If you're hosting, plan your guests' rides home before the event starts.