SB 1952 sets a $4 billion total borrowing limit for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority on all its revenue bonds, replacing the previous statutory cap. This bill directly affects the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority by restricting the total amount of debt it can issue at any time. The key provision amends Section 1709 of Oklahoma law to establish this $4 billion ceiling on aggregate outstanding bond debt. The bill does not alter bond issuance procedures, interest rates, or repayment terms, only the maximum total borrowing amount.
SB 2080 requires cities and towns in Oklahoma counties with 450,000+ residents (per the latest census) to electronically send weekly copies of all issued building permits to the county assessor. This applies to entities like municipal clerks or officials authorized to issue permits. The bill mandates this notification to improve data sharing for tax assessment purposes, as part of broader updates to local government administration laws. It does not change how permits are issued but adds a weekly reporting requirement for large-county jurisdictions.
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Local Government
SB 1494 requires Oklahoma's Legislature to annually appropriate funds for a flexible benefit allowance for school district employees. This allowance, which can be used to pay for health insurance or taken as taxable cash, applies to employees in districts meeting specific instructional requirements: those with 170+ days of in-person classroom instruction receive full funding, while others get a minimum set amount based on 2026 standards. The bill mandates that school districts establish a cafeteria plan for employees to access these benefits and clarifies the allowance does not count toward retirement contributions or salary calculations. It takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1750 allows Oklahoma state agencies to report cost savings from efficiency measures that do not reduce essential services, compromise health/safety, or cut staff in ways that harm service delivery. If the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) confirms these savings, agencies receive 10% of the savings as an appropriation. This 10% can be used exclusively for employee bonuses or deposits into employees' pretax retirement accounts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to savings achieved in the 2028 fiscal year and beyond.
HB 3343 increases the minimum monthly foster care maintenance payment for traditional foster parents to $1,000 per child, requiring the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Director to annually review these rates for appropriateness and potential increases. It also raises the annual tax deduction available to foster parents from $5,000 to $7,500 for expenses related to caring for foster children, with eligibility requiring at least six months of continuous care and applying to up to three children per year. The deduction includes specific rules for partial claims if care lasts less than six months and limits for married couples filing separately. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1575 modifies Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program, which provides tax incentives to businesses creating new jobs. It limits the maximum incentive payment rate companies can receive, updates the minimum wage requirement for qualifying jobs, and shortens the timeframe for filing rebate claims. The bill also clarifies which industries qualify as "basic industry" for incentives, including specific manufacturing, energy, transportation, and support service sectors that meet out-of-state sales thresholds. These changes apply directly to businesses seeking program benefits under Oklahoma Statutes § 3603, § 3604, and related sections. The bill updates statutory language and references to reflect these modifications.
HB 3847 prevents the sale of single-family homes for unpaid property taxes in Oklahoma counties with over 100,000 residents, specifically protecting elderly or disabled homeowners. It requires homeowners aged 65+ or classified as totally disabled (with medical proof), living in their home (not renting it), earning below federal poverty income guidelines, and owning property valued under $180,000 to qualify for an exemption. Homeowners must apply annually to the county treasurer with proof of eligibility, though taxes, interest, and penalties continue to accrue during the exemption. The bill applies only to large counties (per 2020 Census) and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4285 creates a dedicated revolving fund called the "Perinatal Quality Improvement Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury. The fund will receive state and federal appropriations, donations, and grants to support the Oklahoma Department of Health in reducing preventable maternal and infant deaths and health complications. It allows the Department to collaborate with research groups across Oklahoma to improve maternal safety and health outcomes using these pooled resources. The fund is designed as a continuous funding source, not limited to annual budgets, to sustain long-term quality improvement efforts in perinatal care. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 3135 increases Oklahoma's homestead property tax exemption for homeowners. It raises the base exemption from $1,000 to $2,000 per homestead and adds a conditional $3,000 exemption if two conditions are met: (1) a county's ad valorem tax revenue grows by at least 5% compared to the prior year, and (2) the county commissioners approve the additional exemption. This bill directly affects homeowners in counties meeting the revenue growth threshold, effective January 1, 2027. The key mechanism requires both verified revenue growth and local government approval to trigger the higher exemption amount.
HB 4485 requires county assessors to value real property financed with federal low-income housing tax credits (under IRS Section 42) using the income-approach method for property tax assessments. It explicitly prohibits including the value of federal or state low-income housing tax credits when determining a property’s fair cash value. Property owners must provide written notice to the county assessor by January 1 each year if the property uses such credits. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, and applies specifically to properties using federal tax credits for low-income housing development.
