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.
HB 2140 changes how commercial buildings with unfinished interiors are taxed in Oklahoma. It requires county assessors to value such properties - those sold or leased for the new owner/tenant to complete interiors (e.g., flooring, ceilings) - based solely on the cost of construction materials before interior work, not the full building cost. This applies to commercial buildings constructed without final interior elements like finished walls or cabinetry, affecting property owners and contractors selling or leasing these spaces. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, directly impacting property tax assessments for these specific commercial properties.
HB 4146 expands paid maternity leave eligibility to full-time school employees in Oklahoma who have worked at least 1,250 hours over the past year. This includes employees in public school districts, technology center districts, rehabilitation services, correctional facilities, and juvenile affairs. Eligible employees receive six weeks of paid leave immediately after childbirth, which supplements but does not replace existing sick leave for pregnancy-related needs. The bill requires state funding through a revolving fund or allocated education budget to cover the leave costs, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 1834 creates the "Inhofe Disaster Savings Account Act" in Oklahoma, allowing homeowners to set up tax-advantaged savings accounts specifically for covering insurance deductibles or self-insured losses related to qualifying disasters (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc.) at their primary residence. Homeowners can deduct contributions from state taxable income (with limits based on their insurance deductible: $2,000 max for deductibles ≤$1,000, up to $15,000 or twice the deductible for higher deductibles, or $350,000 for self-insured), and all interest earned in the account is exempt from state income tax. Withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified disaster expenses (declared by federal/state authorities), but otherwise become taxable income with a 2.5% penalty, and accounts pass tax-free to surviving spouses upon death. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, targeting Oklahoma homeowners seeking disaster financial preparedness.
HB 2645 creates a tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine in rural Oklahoma, directly affecting licensed physicians who meet specific residency and education criteria. The credit, capped at $20,000 per year per doctor, applies to taxable income from medical practice in designated rural areas (population under 25,000 and at least 25 miles from larger cities). The bill includes an annual $1 million total credit limit, with adjustments to prevent exceeding this cap. The bill was pocket-vetoed by the governor on June 15, 2025, and never became law.
SB 324 creates the Oklahoma Research and Development Rebate Fund to provide businesses with a 5% reimbursement for qualified research expenses incurred within the state. Eligible businesses must submit applications demonstrating research activities occurred in Oklahoma and have filed all required state tax returns. The program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, reimburses up to $20 million annually, with payments prorated if demand exceeds available funds. This directly affects businesses conducting research in Oklahoma that claim expenses on federal Form 6765.
This bill requires owners of commercial solar energy facilities in Oklahoma to pay annual property taxes on their solar installations by December 31 each year. It directly affects commercial solar facility owners, who previously may have been exempt from such taxes. The key provision mandates that taxes and other assessments be paid to the county treasurer annually, aligning commercial solar facilities with standard property tax rules. This changes the tax treatment for commercial solar projects, making them subject to local property tax requirements effective immediately.
HB 2260 creates tax credits for Oklahoma civil engineering employers and employees to encourage hiring and retention. Employers can claim credits for 50% of tuition reimbursed to new hires (first 4 years) or 5-10% of compensation paid (first 5 years), capped at $12,500 annually per employee. Employees may claim up to $5,000 yearly in tax credits for 5 years, based on their degree location (in-state vs. out-of-state). The credits apply to qualified employees with ABET-accredited degrees or Professional Engineer licenses, employed by eligible engineering firms starting January 1, 2026, through 2030. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, with all credits expiring after 2030.
HB 2374 creates a film production rebate program in Oklahoma for productions meeting specific filming requirements. It provides rebates to eligible film and television productions that film at least 75% of a season or pilot within the state, based on qualifying local spending like wages for Oklahoma residents or crew. The program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tax Commission, requires applicants to verify payments to local crew, vendors, and tax compliance. Productions must submit annual reports detailing rebate payments to legislative committees. The bill directly affects film studios, production companies, and local crew members who qualify under its spending and filming criteria.
HB 2785 requires Oklahoma's Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to implement stricter budget oversight for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It mandates OMES to review agency budgets against actual spending before releasing funds, prohibit contracts without clear cost limits, restrict multi-year contract encumbrances to current-year funds, and block payments for unapproved expenses. The bill also requires OMES to report monthly revenue and spending status to the Governor, legislature leadership, and relevant committees. This directly affects state budget management for mental health services by adding specific financial controls to prevent overspending. The law takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.
