HB 3340 provides a 5% salary increase for eligible state workers effective July 1, 2026. It applies only to full-time state employees who have held the same position since June 30, 2019, without a salary increase since that date. The bill explicitly excludes employees of Oklahoma's higher education system (including colleges/universities) and common school districts. This policy change affects a specific group of state workers meeting all three criteria, with the increase taking effect on the specified 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.
HB 2462 creates the "Oklahoma Homestead Exemption Act of 2025," establishing a new homestead exemption for qualifying homeowners. This exemption protects primary residences from certain creditors and property liens, directly affecting Oklahoma homeowners who meet the criteria for this specific protection. The bill sets an effective date of November 1, 2025, and clarifies the exemption will not be codified into the Oklahoma Statutes.
SB 1285 requires all new construction by Oklahoma state-funded entities (like agencies, universities, and career centers) to meet strict energy efficiency standards for heating, cooling, and building systems. It mandates minimum performance levels for heating systems (e.g., 90% efficiency for gas, banning electric resistance as primary heat), prioritizes geothermal systems, and requires life-cycle cost analysis over 25 years to select the most efficient options. The bill also requires integrated building control systems to monitor energy use and gives preference to licensed Oklahoma vendors and locally made HVAC equipment. These changes aim to reduce energy costs, promote renewable energy integration, and ensure state buildings meet verified efficiency benchmarks.
SB 1386 requires Oklahoma's Supreme Court and Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to establish statewide policies for recording judicial proceedings, including technical standards for audio/video systems, AI-assisted transcripts, and confidential audio channels. It mandates that recording systems support ADA-compliant closed captioning, secure metadata logging, and accurate transcription, while prohibiting local court funding for required equipment (using state appropriations instead). The bill directly affects all Oklahoma district courts and court reporters by updating recording, storage, and accessibility requirements under the Oklahoma Court Information System (OCIS), with penalties for noncompliance and whistleblower protections.
HB 2014 creates the Legal Services Revolving Fund in Oklahoma to provide legal representation for low-income residents in specific civil cases. It prioritizes family law, domestic violence cases, and eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases, with funds allocated across all 77 counties based on census data showing poverty levels. The bill strictly prohibits using these funds for criminal cases, abortion-related services, or challenges to census data. Eligible legal aid organizations must follow federal auditing standards and report annually on fund usage to state committees.
HB 1186 requires nonresidents who hunt or fish in Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas to purchase an $85 "Oklahoma Habitat Stamp," with exceptions for active-duty military personnel and veterans. The fee funds a dedicated "Oklahoma Habitat Stamp Revolving Fund," which must be used exclusively for maintaining and improving these wildlife areas. Violations (hunting without the stamp) incur fines of $25-$100, and a temporary $145 stamp is available for those arrested without one. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, creating a permanent funding mechanism for habitat conservation.
HB 1303 prohibits state and local government entities in Oklahoma from using public funds to pay for settlements involving non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), whether in or out of court. This directly affects government agencies and any private entity settling a claim against them when public money is involved. The bill requires all settlement terms to be public if funded by taxpayer money, banning secrecy clauses that would hide settlement details. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, ensuring transparency in how public funds are spent to resolve disputes.
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Government Transparency
HB 3625 amends Oklahoma law governing school district financial management. It requires school districts to maintain separate ledgers for each fund and investment, sets a maximum bond amount for school district treasurers (not exceeding the county treasurer's bond), and mandates a written investment policy prioritizing safety and liquidity. The bill restricts school district investments to U.S. government securities, state obligations rated A+ or better, insured certificates of deposit, and other specified low-risk instruments. These changes standardize financial oversight for school district funds while limiting investment options to protect public money.
HB 2781, the Reindustrialize Oklahoma Act of 2025 (ROA-25), creates a new economic development program offering rebates to qualifying manufacturing businesses. It requires applicants to commit to $2 billion in capital investments and create at least 700 new jobs in the first year (rising to 1,000+ annually), targeting businesses in manufacturing sectors (NAICS 31-33). The Oklahoma Department of Commerce administers the program, disbursing rebates from a dedicated fund (ROA-25 Beneficiary Revolving Fund) after verifying job creation and capital spending. The bill prohibits recipients from also claiming other state incentives like the Quality Jobs Program for the same project. The act was approved by the Governor on May 28, 2025.
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Economic Development
