SB 1338 amends Oklahoma's Strong Readers Act by removing the existing three-year pilot program for literacy instructional teams and adding a requirement for the State Department of Education to submit biennial reports to the Governor and legislative leaders. School districts that decline literacy team support become ineligible for certain state funds under this provision. The bill mandates reports evaluating team effectiveness, tracking student reading proficiency improvements, and offering recommendations for the program. These reports must be submitted by December 31 of each odd-numbered year starting in 2026. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration.
SB 1380 requires Oklahoma's Medicaid program to verify death records before approving new applications and conduct monthly checks for existing enrollees using Social Security and state vital records. It directly affects all Medicaid applicants and current beneficiaries by mandating these verifications to prevent payments to deceased individuals. If death is confirmed, coverage must be stopped immediately, and any payments for services after death must be recovered. The law also requires cost-saving contracts for verification services and gives beneficiaries 10 business days to respond to eligibility discrepancies.
This House resolution formally initiates the impeachment process against Dustin Rowe, the Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. The bill alleges that Rowe willfully neglected his duties and engaged in corruption related to grand jury proceedings in Payne County. By passing this resolution, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approves the articles of impeachment, which is the required first step before the Senate can conduct a trial to remove the official from office.
HB 3262 raises the maximum fee sheriffs can charge for certain services, allowing counties to collect up to a higher amount when providing justice-related assistance. The bill amends existing fee structures by inserting "up to" before "county" and "justice" in relevant sections, effectively increasing the cap on these fees. This directly affects sheriffs' offices and residents who pay these service fees, such as those using court-related support. The change applies to fees for services like processing warrants or providing court security. The bill is currently pending in committee review.
HB 3521, the Oklahoma Money Transmission Modernization Act, replaces outdated state laws governing businesses that send or receive money transfers (like digital payment apps or money orders). It establishes new licensing requirements, including financial statements, surety bonds, and net worth standards, while defining key terms like "authorized delegate" for businesses operating under licensees. The bill creates penalties for violations, including a Class D1 felony charge for intentionally making false statements or operating without a license, and grants the Banking Commissioner expanded authority to enforce rules and conduct examinations. This directly affects money transmission companies, their delegates, and the Banking Commissioner’s oversight role in Oklahoma.
HB 3996 is a procedural bill that names the "Criminal Procedure Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It does not create new legal requirements or affect any specific groups or individuals. The bill solely establishes the act's official title and implementation timeline without altering existing criminal procedure laws. This is a routine naming and scheduling measure, not a substantive policy change.
HB 3880 creates the "Oklahoma Today Magazine" Division within the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, requiring the magazine to be published at least six times yearly. It authorizes employees to earn commissions (up to 25% of net sales) on advertising, sponsorships, subscriptions, or tourism promotion sales, with total compensation capped at 95% of the Executive Director’s salary. The bill exempts advertising sales from standard procurement laws and requires magazine content to be available for public inspection during business hours. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3940 amends Oklahoma's military code to update authority and compensation structures for the National Guard. It removes the Adjutant General from compensation sections, clarifies the Adjutant General's command authority and organizational chart requirements, and modifies retirement fund provisions. The bill also establishes a permanent gift shop at the Oklahoma National Guard Museum to fund a revolving support fund, with proceeds directed to National Guard programs. These changes directly affect Oklahoma National Guard members, leadership, and museum operations by adjusting administrative processes and funding mechanisms.
HB 4191 modifies Oklahoma's Small Employer Quality Jobs Act to adjust tax incentives for qualifying businesses. It establishes a "net benefit rate" (capped at 5%) calculated by subtracting state costs (like education and public services) from projected tax revenue generated by new jobs, then pays eligible small employers (under 500 employees) quarterly over seven years based on this rate. To qualify, businesses must commit to creating new jobs - ranging from 5 to 15 jobs or a percentage of current staff - within 12-36 months, depending on their city's population size. The bill requires applications through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and ties incentives directly to verified new-hire wages.
HB 4431 requires Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in Oklahoma, or their employers, to carry malpractice insurance covering $1 million per incident and $3 million annually. This applies to APRNs practicing outside federal or state employment where coverage is already provided under federal insurance or Oklahoma's Governmental Tort Claims Act. The law exempts APRNs working for federal agencies (covered by federal insurance) or state agencies (covered under Tort Claims Act) during their official duties. It takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting APRNs who provide care outside these exempted employment settings.
SB 1734, the Oklahoma Responsible Technology in Schools Act, restricts AI tool use in public schools to educator-supervised settings, requiring all classroom AI applications to operate under teacher oversight ("human-in-the-loop") with educators reviewing outputs before use in instruction or assessment. It prohibits AI from determining high-stakes outcomes like grading, discipline, or student placement, and mandates school districts to adopt policies by the 2027-2028 school year covering data privacy, appropriate use, and transparency for families. The State Department of Education must develop guidance to help districts comply, while ensuring AI tools meet federal privacy laws (like FERPA) and minimize student data sharing. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not compel schools to adopt AI but sets guardrails for its responsible use.
SB 1597 removes a requirement for Oklahoma's Court-Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs to adhere to specific national standards. It affects local CASA programs and the Oklahoma Court-Appointed Special Advocate Association by eliminating this compliance obligation. The bill maintains existing requirements for CASA volunteer training, annual documentation, criminal background checks, and child welfare records searches. Key provisions remain unchanged, including the need for volunteers to complete training and pass background checks before being assigned cases. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
