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.
HB 3981 creates a program to provide financial incentives to full-time prosecutors working in Oklahoma's designated high-need localities. Eligible prosecutors can receive up to $50,000 over five years, with potential additional $10,000 for each two-year service extension beyond that period, subject to available funding. To qualify, prosecutors must agree to a service obligation; leaving early requires repaying funds proportionally. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, managed by the District Attorneys Council, which determines high-need areas based on factors like population size, remoteness, and recruitment challenges.
SB 1405 reauthorizes a voluntary tax checkoff on Oklahoma state income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to donate a portion of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Fund. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, supports conservation efforts for nongame wildlife (species not classified as game or furbearer). Taxpayers who donate by mistake can request a refund within three years, and the reauthorized checkoff takes effect January 1, 2027. This bill updates statutory language to maintain the existing donation mechanism without altering its core purpose.
HB 3590, the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2026, expands tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who contribute to scholarship-granting organizations. It increases the maximum annual tax credit: to $5,000 for single filers (up from $1,000), $10,000 for married couples filing jointly (up from $2,000), and $250,000 for businesses (up from $100,000). Taxpayers who commit to contribute the same amount for two consecutive years qualify for a 100% credit (up from 75%) on those contributions. The bill affects Oklahoma taxpayers making eligible contributions and requires scholarship organizations to submit annual financial reports to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. It takes effect January 1, 2027.
SB 1280 extends the sunset date for Oklahoma's excise tax on oil and gas production from 2026 to 2031. It maintains the current tax rate of 0.095% on oil and gas production until July 1, 2031, after which the rate drops to 0.085%. The bill affects oil and gas producers, purchasers, and royalty owners by specifying how the tax is collected and reported alongside existing gross production taxes. Revenue from the tax continues to be distributed to the General Revenue Fund, the Corporation Commission Plugging Fund, and the Interstate Oil Compact Fund, as outlined in existing law.
SB 1403 modifies Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Incentive Program by extending eligibility periods and adjusting wage requirements. It extends incentive contracts from 15 to 30 years for businesses in the entertainment industry (NAICS 711211) without additional funds, while lowering the required annual payroll for manufacturing businesses (NAICS 3111-3119) from $2.5 million to $1.5 million. The bill also adds special provisions for businesses operating on contaminated Superfund sites, allowing them to qualify for incentives if they meet environmental remediation requirements and generate 50% of Oklahoma taxable income at the site. These changes directly affect new businesses seeking state tax incentives for job creation and payroll growth.
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.
SB 1161 allocates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Corrections for the 2026 fiscal year. This funding supports the department's existing legal responsibilities, such as managing correctional facilities and staff operations. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate use of these funds upon approval, bypassing standard budget timelines. It provides specific financial support for current Department of Corrections duties without creating new programs or altering existing laws.
SB 1937 prohibits employers who engage in specific labor practices from receiving Oklahoma's economic development incentives (such as grants, loans, or tax credits). It directly affects employers seeking these incentives by banning: (1) granting union recognition based solely on signed cards instead of secret ballot elections, (2) sharing employee contact information without consent, (3) signing neutrality agreements with unions, and (4) requiring subcontractors to violate these rules. Employers found violating these provisions must repay all incentives received for the project. The bill exempts existing agreements before its November 1, 2026, effective date and employers with current collective bargaining agreements.
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.
