SB 2084 caps settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by employees of Oklahoma public institutions of higher education (like state universities) at two years of their base salary at termination. It limits total settlements to include back pay and damages but excludes accrued unpaid wages, leave, and retirement contributions already earned. The bill specifically applies to state law claims, not federal ones, and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects public university employees filing termination disputes under Oklahoma law.
SB 1390 modifies Oklahoma's gross production tax apportionment rules for natural gas and oil revenues. It establishes a "moving five-year average" for gas tax collections to determine when excess revenue (above this average) is sent to the Revenue Stabilization Fund instead of the General Revenue Fund. The bill adjusts the percentage of tax revenue allocated to state general funds, county highway funds, and school districts based on whether gas taxes are levied at 7% or 4% rates. This directly affects natural gas and oil producers, counties receiving highway funds, and school districts eligible for per-pupil funding. The changes take effect immediately as an emergency measure.
HB 2115 transfers administration of Oklahoma's Energy Conservation Assistance Fund from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Human Services. It provides grants of up to $3,000 for weatherization work (like insulation, storm windows, and structural repairs) to low-income elderly and handicapped homeowners who meet income guidelines (125% of federal poverty level). The bill requires an energy audit before grants are issued, prioritizes applicants with greatest need, and establishes a revolving fund for ongoing program funding. This directly affects qualifying homeowners seeking energy efficiency improvements to their primary residences.
Oklahoma's SJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce limits on annual increases in property tax assessments. It would lower the maximum annual growth rate for most real property from 5% to 3% (for tax years 2027 onward) and further reduce limits for homestead properties (primary residences) and agricultural land from 3% to 1%. The amendment applies to locally assessed real property, excluding personal property and properties with recent transfers or improvements. If approved by voters, these changes would take effect for tax years beginning in 2027.
This Oklahoma House Concurrent Resolution expresses support for eliminating the United States Department of Education and urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with that goal. The document argues that education is a state responsibility under the Tenth Amendment and claims that federal involvement has led to excessive regulations and poor student outcomes in Oklahoma. It highlights concerns about declining national reading scores and asserts that local control would better address educational needs. The resolution does not change any laws or policies within Oklahoma but serves as a formal statement of legislative sentiment regarding federal education policy.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 227 modifies tax exemptions for oil and gas producers by limiting eligibility for gross production tax refunds to specific years (2005-2013 and 2022-2024). It caps annual refunds at $12.5 million for 2015-2016 and $10 million for 2022-2024, requiring producers to qualify as "economically at-risk" leases based on production volume and profitability thresholds. Producers must submit documentation to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to claim refunds for prior-year production, with claims due by the bill’s effective date for 2024. The bill directly affects oil/gas operators seeking refunds on past production under these revised rules.
HB 3024 establishes a 10% annual cap on salary increases and bonuses for most state employees in executive branch agencies, requiring cabinet secretary approval for any increase exceeding this limit. It mandates that agencies set performance metrics for bonus eligibility and document salary adjustments above 10% due to role changes or performance reviews. The bill excludes executive directors, positions requiring advanced degrees or state licenses (like doctors and engineers), and employees of higher education systems or school districts from these limits. These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services overseeing implementation.
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.
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 4490 creates the Oklahoma Families Thriving Everywhere Now (OFTEN) program through the Oklahoma State Department of Health, using $3 million in state funds for the 2027 fiscal year. The program provides telecare support, community outreach, and care coordination for women with high-risk pregnancies and parents of children under three, aiming to promote healthy childbirth, stable family formation, and economic self-sufficiency. Services include referrals, case management, and parenting assistance delivered by Oklahoma-based community providers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and includes an emergency declaration to accelerate implementation.
