HB 2096 establishes a voluntary program allowing Oklahoma landowners to enter contracts with the Department of Wildlife Conservation to develop wildlife habitats on private property. Landowners must cover all project costs, and enrolled lands become exempt from eminent domain during the contract term plus an additional five years. Landowners may cancel contracts at any time but must repay the state for habitat improvements made before cancellation. The Department may also charge a fee for program participation.
Oklahoma's Senate Resolution 12 officially recognizes April 6-12, 2025, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and April 9, 2025, as Victims’ Rights Day. The resolution does not create new laws or rights but symbolically affirms the importance of supporting crime victims within the justice system. It directs the Oklahoma Victims Services Division to receive copies of the resolution for awareness purposes. This is a ceremonial recognition, not a policy change, and affects no specific individuals or groups through legal obligations.
HB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to license professionals and prevent groundwater pollution. It requires well drillers and pump installers to meet training standards, partners with Oklahoma's Tier 1 research universities to develop groundwater workforce training, and establishes a revolving fund for program funding. The bill directly affects well drillers, pump installers, and groundwater industry professionals by mandating licensing and providing skills-based training. It aims to address groundwater protection through standardized practices and workforce development, effective November 1, 2025.
SB 291 creates a refundable income tax credit for Oklahoma residents based on revenue growth from oil, natural gas, and corporate income taxes. If the State Board of Equalization certifies that revenue growth exceeds 10% in a year, the Oklahoma Tax Commission calculates a credit amount using a formula based on the number of individual and married-filing-jointly tax returns from the prior year. The credit is doubled for married couples filing jointly, and the Commission must publish the calculated amount within 45 days of certification. The credit applies to tax years starting in 2026, with a November 1, 2025 effective date.
HB 1420 requires Oklahoma state agencies to reduce owned and leased property by prioritizing the sale of underutilized state-owned assets, eliminating unnecessary leases, and using existing property instead of new construction. It mandates that all state agencies obtain approval from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services before leasing, purchasing, or constructing new property, with proceeds from sales deposited into a dedicated building maintenance fund. The bill also requires annual public reporting on property sales, lease reductions, and fund usage, while exempting agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Turnpike Authority from these requirements. This policy directly affects all state agencies (except the exempted entities) by changing how they manage real estate assets and funding for building maintenance.
HB 1860 requires that crime scene and autopsy photographs of victims submitted to Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board for clemency hearings be kept confidential and not released to the public. It directly affects victims and their families whose images are used in such hearings, ensuring their privacy. The bill amends Oklahoma's Open Records Act to explicitly list these victim photographs as confidential records under Section 24A.5(p), preventing public disclosure. It also mandates that these photographs be included in a separate hearing packet for the Board, separate from other case materials.
SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.
SB 289 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax exemption period for certain museums, directly affecting those institutions by changing how long they can qualify for tax relief on eligible purchases. The bill amends Section 1356 of Oklahoma's tax code to adjust the duration of the exemption, ensuring museums remain exempt from sales tax on qualifying items used for their operations. This change updates the existing exemption framework without altering other established tax exemptions for government entities, schools, or nonprofits listed in the same section. The bill is designated as an emergency measure to expedite implementation.
SB 820 expands Oklahoma's sports league rebate program to include the WNBA, WPF, and NWSL, in addition to the existing NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. It allows qualifying professional sports teams (with specific payroll and employment thresholds) to receive quarterly rebates based on verified in-state payroll, capped at $10 million annually per team. The rebate requires teams to maintain operations in Oklahoma for eligibility and repay funds if they leave within three years. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee.
HB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to address groundwater safety and workforce shortages. It requires licensing for well drillers and pump installers to prevent groundwater pollution, establishes training standards with industry partners, and funds a specialized education program at a Oklahoma research university. The program targets current and future groundwater professionals (including drillers, pump installers, and plumbers) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature. Funding comes from a new revolving fund in the State Treasury, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1276 requires Oklahoma school districts to adopt policies banning student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets, smartwatches, or laptops) during the entire school day and on school grounds by the 2025-2026 school year. Exceptions are allowed for documented medical emergencies with a licensed professional's approval. Districts may opt out of the ban through annual board approval, but must still follow the policy framework. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" broadly (excluding school-issued devices used for instruction) and takes effect July 1, 2025.
This resolution formally recognizes April 6-12, 2025, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and April 9, 2025, as Victims’ Rights Day in Oklahoma. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of victims' rights within the justice system. The Oklahoma Senate directs copies of this resolution to the Victims Services Division of the District Attorneys Council for distribution. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive legislative change, aligning with nationwide observances.
