HB 3704 directs Oklahoma to participate in a federal income tax credit program allowing individuals to claim a credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill requires the Governor to certify Oklahoma's participation to the U.S. Treasury and designates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to register SGOs, maintain their lists, and handle federal reporting. This enables Oklahoma taxpayers to claim the federal credit for qualifying donations, while coordinating with Oklahoma's existing state tax credit for SGO contributions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and remains in place until changed by law or federal policy.
HB 3708 modifies Oklahoma's tax credit system to expand education-related incentives. It creates three tax credit options: 50% of contributions (up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for joint filers, or $100,000 for businesses) to scholarship-granting organizations, educational improvement grant organizations, or public school foundations/districts. A 75% credit is available for donors who commit to contributing the same amount for two consecutive years. Organizations receiving funds must annually submit audited financial reports to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and publicly share program outcomes. The bill directly affects individual taxpayers, businesses, and eligible education-focused nonprofits.
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 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.
HB 2973 requires all Oklahoma public school districts to report how they spend state-appropriated funds using a specific data code in the Oklahoma Cost Accounting System, starting with the 2026-2027 school year. This applies only to state funds, not other funding sources, and the State Board of Education must establish the required data code. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and was declared an emergency to allow immediate implementation. It directly affects school districts by mandating a new reporting structure for state education funding.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment (HJR 1044) that would reduce the annual limit on property tax value increases for certain Oklahoma properties. Specifically, it would lower the cap from 3% to 2% for homestead properties and agricultural land, meaning their assessed value could rise by no more than 2% per year for tax purposes. The change would apply to most locally assessed real property but excludes properties with title transfers, new improvements, or personal property. If approved by voters, this amendment would require the Legislature to enact implementing laws. It is a voter-approved constitutional change, not a regular law.
HB 2942, the "Health Care Sharing Ministry Tax Parity Act," allows Oklahoma residents who are active members of Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) to deduct their qualified health care sharing expenses from their state income tax starting in 2027. It directly affects Oklahoma residents using HCSMs - non-profit organizations that share medical costs based on shared ethical or religious beliefs - by granting them tax treatment similar to health insurance premiums. Key provisions include permitting deductions for self-employed individuals and employer contributions (treated as nontaxable benefits), requiring documentation to claim the deduction, and ensuring funds received from HCSMs are not considered taxable income. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, with the Oklahoma Tax Commission overseeing implementation and reporting.
HJR 1074 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Oklahoma Veterans Lottery Trust Fund, funded by the Oklahoma Veterans Lottery game. The fund would provide grants exclusively for four specific purposes: youth education programs by veteran service organizations, emergency assistance for individual veterans or their families, indigent funerals, and veteran outreach programs with over 50% veteran attendance. A Board of Governors, appointed by major veteran service organizations and the Oklahoma Veterans Council, would manage the fund. The amendment prohibits using these funds to replace existing state funding for veterans, military, or their families, and requires annual reviews by the State Board of Equalization to ensure funds enhance - not supplant - other veteran support programs.
This bill, titled "Mathematics instruction..." but actually amending the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, adjusts financial eligibility rules for students seeking higher education support. It raises income thresholds for program qualification (e.g., $80,000 annually for families with five+ children starting in 2025-2026) and adjusts age limits for participation (extending to age 18 for some applicants). Students must meet updated income requirements and comply with program terms like regular school attendance and avoiding substance abuse to maintain eligibility. The bill directly affects Oklahoma students in grades 5-11 seeking financial aid for post-secondary education through this state program.
SB 50 exempts the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices from Oklahoma's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy these items for personal use, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these purchases. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code (Section 1357) to add gun safes and safety devices to the list of tax-exempt items, aligning with existing exemptions for other safety equipment. The law took effect on May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the governor's signature.
