HB 3976 establishes a grant program under Oklahoma's State Department of Health to help rural and small hospitals open new facilities or keep existing ones open by funding infrastructure, equipment, or technology needs. Hospitals applying must contribute at least 20% of project costs through cash or in-kind donations. The program will be funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, which replenishes itself and can be used continuously without annual budget limits.
HB 4340 would add a sales tax exemption for the sale of "frack water" (wastewater from oil and gas extraction) in Oklahoma. This exemption would directly affect oil and gas companies and vendors selling this wastewater, eliminating the sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to include this specific exemption under existing tax exemption categories. The policy change would reduce tax burdens for businesses involved in handling oil and gas extraction wastewater. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee.
HB 4178 amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add new exemptions for specific public entities and activities. It creates a new exemption allowing sales tax-free admission ticket surcharges used solely to repay debt for constructing athletic facilities, theaters, or cultural venues at public universities. The bill also expands existing exemptions for sales to certain public trusts, county fairs, educational institutions, and public authorities carrying out construction contracts. These changes directly affect state universities, local government entities, and fair authorities by reducing their taxable purchases. The policy focuses on clarifying and broadening tax relief for public infrastructure projects and nonprofit activities.
HB 4337 amends Oklahoma's Quality Events Act to clarify definitions and requirements for economic development incentives tied to major events. It defines key terms like "quality event" (e.g., national championships, televised events) and "economic impact study," which must verify additional sales tax revenue generated by the event. The bill requires local governments to use these studies to confirm tax revenue increases before providing financial support to event promoters. This affects certified sponsors (event organizers) and local governments that fund or support qualifying events, ensuring incentives align with measurable economic benefits.
HB 4285 creates a dedicated revolving fund called the "Perinatal Quality Improvement Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury. The fund will receive state and federal appropriations, donations, and grants to support the Oklahoma Department of Health in reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths and health complications. It allows the Department to collaborate with research groups across Oklahoma to improve maternal safety and health outcomes using these pooled resources. The fund is designed as a continuous funding source, not limited to annual budgets, to sustain long-term quality improvement efforts in perinatal care. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 4280 increases annual funding for Oklahoma's Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund (ROADS Fund) to support road and bridge construction and maintenance. It sets specific annual funding levels: $575 million for fiscal year 2021, $590 million for 2022, $610 million for 2025, and $670 million starting in 2026. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to use these funds first for debt payments on highway obligations, then for road/bridge construction, maintenance, and matching federal funds. The legislation directly affects Oklahoma's highway infrastructure and the DOT's budget allocation process, with funding adjustments triggered by revenue shortfalls.
HB 1242 modifies Oklahoma's agricultural sales tax exemptions to clarify which farm-related purchases qualify for tax relief. It specifically exempts direct sales of farm products (like produce and dairy) to consumers, livestock sales (including cervidae like deer), feed, fertilizer, and farm equipment used in production. The bill requires purchasers to provide written certification confirming items will be used for agricultural purposes, with penalties for false certifications. This affects Oklahoma farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses purchasing qualifying goods, ensuring tax exemptions align with actual farm operations.
SB 680 modifies Oklahoma's definition of "cigarette" to explicitly include heated tobacco products, expanding the scope of existing tax regulations. The bill provides a tax exemption for these products and requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to establish rules for compliance. This directly affects manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of heated tobacco products by changing how they are classified under cigarette tax laws. The bill updates statutory definitions and references to align with this new exemption, ensuring heated tobacco products are treated consistently under the tax code.
HB 3178 changes how farm equipment and tractors are valued for property tax in Oklahoma. It requires county assessors to apply a specific 25% annual depreciation schedule: 75% of original cost in year one, 50% in year two, 25% in year three, and zero value from year four onward. This applies to equipment used in agricultural production on farms owned, leased, or operated by the owner. The bill affects Oklahoma farmers who own qualifying equipment by reducing their property tax burden after three years. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
This bill authorizes an emergency appropriation of approximately $19.66 million to the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The funds must come from the Rate Preservation Fund in the State Treasury and are designated specifically for Title XIX services, which are Medicaid-funded mental health and substance abuse programs. The legislation includes an emergency provision, allowing the funding to take effect immediately upon the governor's approval without waiting for the regular budget cycle. This action provides direct financial resources to the state agency responsible for administering mental health and substance abuse services.
