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.
HB 3978 creates tax credits for Oklahoma investors who fund "rural funds" that invest in small businesses located in rural areas. It allows investors to claim up to $15 million in annual state tax credits against their liability, provided the rural fund invests at least 100% of the capital in eligible businesses within three years. Eligible businesses must have fewer than 250 employees and operate primarily (60%+ payroll) in counties under 75,000 population or towns under 7,000 residents. The bill defines specific rules for qualifying investments, including restrictions on refinancing prior investments and limits on total funding per business ($6.5 million or 20% of the fund's capital). The tax credit program applies to capital investments certified after the bill's effective date.
HB 3727 prohibits Oklahoma political subdivisions (like cities, counties, and school districts) from using public funds to hire registered lobbyists or pay nonprofits that hire such lobbyists. It allows local governments to reimburse employees for travel related to legislative advocacy, provide information to lawmakers, or support nonprofit associations offering non-lobbying services like bill tracking. The bill also creates a six-year cooling-off period, banning former state legislators from working as lobbyists after their term ends, effective January 2027. The law takes effect November 1, 2026, and includes provisions for citizens to seek court injunctions and recover attorney fees if public funds are misused.
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.
HB 1205 repeals Oklahoma's tax credit for small wind turbine installations by removing Section 2357.32B from the state's tax code. This change directly affects small wind turbine owners and installers who previously qualified for the credit. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2025, eliminating the tax incentive for new installations after that date. The bill is procedural and does not create new policy, only removing an existing tax provision.
HB 1372 temporarily lowers the gross production tax rate for oil and gas from existing wells (spudded before the law's effective date) to 5% for 36 months, instead of the standard 7%. It also creates two new tax exemptions: 1) 5 years of tax-free production for secondary/tertiary recovery projects approved after July 2022, and 2) a 24-month tax exemption for wells using recycled water (proportional to recycled water usage). For orphaned wells, producers must post a $25,000 surety bond per well to qualify for a 50% tax reduction for 36 months. The bill sets annual refund limits of $15 million for recovery projects and $10 million for recycled water exemptions, requiring producers to apply for refunds through the Tax Commission.
HB 1220 prohibits Oklahoma cities and towns from imposing franchise fees or sales/use taxes on specific revenue streams used by utilities to repay private financing. It directly affects electric cooperatives and other utilities that used private financing under the February 2021 Utility Consumer Protection Acts to avoid immediate cost burdens on customers. The bill defines "securitization revenue streams" as rates and charges solely for repaying such private loans, and bans local taxes on these streams for bonds issued by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority under those acts. This prevents municipalities from taxing revenue dedicated to repaying utility loans structured to protect consumers from upfront costs.
HB 2745 creates new tax deductions for Oklahoma banks and credit unions that earn interest on qualifying agricultural and housing loans. It allows institutions to deduct up to $500,000 annually (for those with over $750 million in Oklahoma deposits) or $250,000 (for smaller institutions) from their privilege tax bill. The deductions apply to interest earned on agricultural real estate loans, agricultural operating loans, and single-family residence loans made between 2025 and 2028. Total deductions across all institutions are capped at $5 million per year, with annual adjustments to maintain this limit.
HB 2742 clarifies and updates definitions related to Oklahoma's cigarette and heated tobacco product excise tax system. It defines "cigarette" to explicitly include heated tobacco products and creates new rules for "delivery sales" (such as online or mail orders to consumers). The bill affects cigarette manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and online sellers by specifying tax obligations for these transactions. Key provisions include redefining terms like "wholesaler," "retailer," and "delivery sale," and clarifying tax exemptions for sales to veterans hospitals, the U.S. government, and other specific entities. This is a procedural tax administration bill, not a new tax rate change.
