HB 4326: Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; modifying eligibility for certain students; clarifying application time period; modifying definition; effective date; emergency. - Oklahoma

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to transition from a House draft to a Senate version, incorporating significant updates to eligibility criteria and program administration. The changes expand the definition of eligible students to include those attending technology center schools and clarify financial need requirements for specific adoption scenarios. Additionally, the text was updated to reflect the correct legislative session dates and committee sponsors.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include technology center schools as eligible institutions and refined the financial need criteria for students adopted at different ages while in state or tribal custody.

SCOPE

Added eligibility for students attending technology center schools governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated financial need requirements to distinguish between students adopted before age 12 and those adopted between ages 13 and 17 while in state or tribal custody.

TECHNICAL

Corrected the legislative session header from the 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026) to April 22, 2026, and updated the bill status to reflect Senate Floor approval.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement for students to have a 2.5 grade point average in core Oklahoma's Promise required curriculum courses.

House Committee Substitute → Senate Committee Substitute for House Bill · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was rewritten to transition from a 'Committee Substitute' to an 'Engrossed' version, adding new sponsors to the Senate. The substantive policy text was significantly condensed and reorganized, with the detailed list of amendments to Sections 2603 and 2605 of the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act removed from the header. The specific eligibility criteria, financial thresholds, and statutory amendments found in the original text are no longer visible in this version, suggesting a major simplification or a placeholder for a later committee revision.

Scope change

The bill's scope appears to have been reduced or obscured because the detailed list of statutory amendments and specific eligibility changes (such as income limits, custody definitions, and certification requirements) present in the original text were deleted. The document now only lists high-level topics without the specific legal modifications.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the detailed list of specific amendments to 70 O.S. 2603 and 2605, including changes to eligibility for students in court-ordered custody, income requirements, and teacher certification definitions.

REQUIREMENT

Deleted the specific criteria for student eligibility, such as GPA requirements, ACT scores, and financial need calculations.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill status from 'Committee Substitute' to 'Engrossed' and added new sponsors (Archer, Deck, Seifried, and Bullard) to the Senate side.

Condensed the bill's summary description, replacing a detailed list of statutory changes with a brief overview of the topics covered.

Enrolled (final version) → House Committee Substitute · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was revised to expand eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program by adding technology center schools and clarifying rules for students in specific custody situations. The text also updated statutory references and reorganized the formatting of the act.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include technology center schools as eligible institutions and clarified eligibility for students in the custody of private nonprofit child-placing agencies or federally recognized Indian tribes.

ELIGIBILITY

Added technology center schools to the list of eligible institutions for the program.

Updated the description of custody situations for students to explicitly include 'federally recognized Indian tribe' alongside private nonprofit agencies.

TECHNICAL

Replaced the original 'Enrolled' version text with a 'Committee Substitute' version, indicating legislative amendments were made during the House committee process.

Engrossed → Enrolled (final version) · 3 edits · May 6, 2026

MINOR

The bill was finalized from its Engrossed version to the Enrolled version, which involves minor formatting corrections and a significant expansion of eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program. The most important change is the addition of a specific eligibility pathway for students adopted between birth and age 12 who were in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services or licensed child-placing agencies, allowing them to qualify under different financial need standards. The final version also clarifies language regarding student agreements and updates references to ensure consistency with existing laws.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a new category of eligible students: those adopted as young children from state or agency custody, who previously did not have a specific provision to qualify under the program's financial need requirements.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for students adopted between birth and age 12 from state custody or licensed agencies to qualify under specific financial need standards.

REQUIREMENT

Refined the financial need calculation requirements for the newly eligible adopted students to reference a different subsection of the statute.

TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting, spacing, and statutory references throughout the text to align with the final enrolled version.

Amended And Engrossed → Engrossed · 5 edits · May 6, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered and reorganized to reflect its status as an Engrossed House Bill. The primary substantive change involves expanding eligibility for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program to include technology center school education and clarifying requirements for students in specific custody situations. Additionally, the bill updates references to recent statutory changes and modifies criteria for student admission and financial need calculations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include technology center school education as an eligible pathway for the Higher Learning Access Program, whereas the previous version had less specific language regarding this category.

TECHNICAL

The bill header and page numbering were updated to reflect the transition from an Amended Senate version to the final Engrossed House version, correcting the legislative title and sponsor attribution.

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility criteria were expanded to explicitly include students enrolled in technology center schools governed by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Graduation requirements were clarified to offer multiple pathways, including specific ACT score thresholds for students graduating from non-accredited schools or those completing alternative educational programs.

Admission standards were updated to require enrollment in institutions accredited under specific state sections or eligible for federal student financial aid, ensuring alignment with current regulatory frameworks.

REQUIREMENT

The bill updates references to previous legislative sessions and clarifies the verification process for teacher certifications and financial need calculations.

Introduced → Amended And Engrossed · 5 edits · May 6, 2026

MODERATE

The bill was amended to update its title and summary to reflect new provisions regarding adopted students, students in specific custody arrangements, and teacher children. The core eligibility requirements for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program remain largely the same, but the text now clarifies rules for students adopted before age 12 and those in the custody of private agencies or tribes. Additionally, the bill directs the State Regents to verify that teacher certifications are in classroom subjects and requires certain financial calculations to be reported to specific boards.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to explicitly include clarifications for students adopted at certain ages and to modify definitions related to students in the custody of private nonprofit child-placing agencies or federally recognized Indian tribes.

TITLE

The bill's title and summary were updated to accurately describe the new provisions regarding adopted students and teacher children.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarifications were added regarding eligibility for students who were adopted between birth and age 12 while in the permanent custody of the Department of Human Services.

REQUIREMENT

New requirements were added for the Oklahoma State Regents to verify that standard or alternative teacher certifications are in classroom subjects.

ENFORCEMENT

The bill now requires certain calculated financial amounts to be reported to specific Boards.

DEFINITION

Definitions were modified to clarify eligibility requirements for children of certified teachers and to update references regarding students in specific custody situations.

Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; modifying eligibility for certain students; clarifying application time period; modifying definition; effective date; emergency.

What changed between versions

How they voted

Actions timeline

Sponsors