SB 237 requires the Commissioners of the Land Office to make payments to certain counties instead of collecting ad valorem taxes from them. This change directly affects counties that currently receive tax revenue from state-owned lands and the state agency responsible for managing those lands. The bill establishes a new payment mechanism to replace the existing tax collection process, ensuring counties receive their share of land-related revenue. The legislation is currently in the early stages of review by the Appropriations and Budget committee.
SB 1319 creates a dedicated "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address environmental and safety issues from oil and gas operations. The fund must maintain $5 million, with additional taxes collected if it falls below this level until replenished (effective until July 2031). It establishes a new program allowing homeowners contaminated by brine or oil from *abandoned wells* (as defined by law) to apply for financial assistance from the fund without needing prior insurance claims. The Corporation Commission will determine assistance amounts and create rules to manage applications and verify contamination sources.
HB 4432 amends Oklahoma's tax code to eliminate a limitation on itemizing wagering income for tax purposes and updates statutory references throughout the Oklahoma Revenue and Taxation Act. It specifically adjusts how businesses calculate Oklahoma taxable income, particularly regarding federal net operating loss deductions and the allocation of income from property or business activities. The bill clarifies that Oklahoma net operating losses must be separately determined using federal rules but without requiring a federal loss, and it updates rules for allocating income from intangible property and certain business activities. This is a procedural update to the tax code, not a new tax or policy change, and it affects businesses and individuals filing Oklahoma income taxes. The bill was introduced in 2026 but has not advanced beyond committee referral.
HB 1370 establishes a "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address seeping natural gas and environmental safety issues related to oil and gas operations. The bill requires the fund to maintain $5 million, and if it falls below this level, an additional excise tax on oil and gas will be imposed until replenished. It specifies that 10.526% of oil excise tax revenue and 10.5555% of natural gas excise tax revenue must be allocated to this fund, with the remaining portions going to the General Revenue Fund and the Interstate Oil Compact Fund. The bill extends the fund's sunset date from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued funding for these environmental response efforts.
HB 4191 modifies Oklahoma's Small Employer Quality Jobs Act to adjust tax incentives for qualifying businesses. It establishes a "net benefit rate" (capped at 5%) calculated by subtracting state costs (like education and public services) from projected tax revenue generated by new jobs, then pays eligible small employers (under 500 employees) quarterly over seven years based on this rate. To qualify, businesses must commit to creating new jobs - ranging from 5 to 15 jobs or a percentage of current staff - within 12-36 months, depending on their city's population size. The bill requires applications through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and ties incentives directly to verified new-hire wages.
HB 3661 expands Oklahoma's sales tax exemptions for agricultural products and inputs. It specifically exempts sales of farm-produced goods (like produce and dairy from owner-operated farms), livestock, feed, agricultural fertilizer, machinery, and supplies directly used in farming or ranching operations. The bill requires purchasers to provide written certification confirming items will be used in agricultural production, with false certifications subject to penalties. These exemptions apply only to items used for commercial farming or ranching, not personal gardens or pet-related activities. The changes aim to reduce tax burdens for Oklahoma agricultural producers and their supply chain.
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.
HB 3986 modernizes Oklahoma's gross production tax for oil, gas, and mineral production. It sets a 7% tax rate on most oil and gas production (increasing from previous rates), with a temporary 5% rate for wells spudded before the law's effective date for 36 months. The bill creates tax exemptions for 5 years for secondary/tertiary recovery projects (approved after July 2022) and offers a 50% tax reduction for 36 months on production from orphaned wells (requiring a $25,000 bond per well). Producers of oil/gas using recycled water for well completion also get a 24-month exemption proportional to recycled water use. Refunds for exempt production are capped annually at $15 million for recovery projects and $10 million for recycled water projects.
SB 244 establishes the Program of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU). It creates a new academic program focused on teaching American political principles, leadership, civic engagement, and foundational texts of U.S. history and government through courses for students. The program will hire faculty, develop new majors/minors, and offer courses including an upcoming requirement for all OU students to complete a civic knowledge course. It requires annual strategic plans and reports to state leadership, with initial courses launching in fall 2027. The program will operate independently on OU's Norman campus, funded by state appropriations and donations.
HB 3043 creates a new category of "seasonal employees" for Oklahoma's Department of Veterans Affairs, defined as unclassified staff working under 1,699 hours annually. These employees will not receive benefits like paid leave, health insurance, retirement, or paid holidays. The bill requires the Department to report annual usage of these positions, including worker counts and total wages, in its budget requests. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
