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
HB 1335 sets conditions for retirement benefit increases for retirees in seven Oklahoma public pension systems (including Firefighters, Police, Judges, Law Enforcement, Teachers, and Public Employees). It requires a 4% benefit increase for eligible retirees if the retirement system's funded ratio (assets relative to liabilities) remains at least 80% after the increase; otherwise, a 2% increase applies. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies to retirees not receiving benefits under specific prior provisions. It does not create new benefits but ties increases to the financial health of each retirement fund.
HB 3550 establishes a minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers based on experience and education levels, starting with the 2025-2026 school year. Beginning in 2026-2027, the minimum salaries will automatically increase each year based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) compared to 2025, but no adjustment will occur if the CPI declines. The State Board of Education must calculate and announce the annual adjustment by April 1 each year, posting it on their website. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school teachers covered by the minimum salary schedule, ensuring their base pay adjusts annually for inflation.
HB 1590 establishes the "Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Linked Deposit Program" to provide reduced-rate loans for school infrastructure projects. It directly affects charter schools and nonprofit education service entities by enabling them to access funding for constructing, expanding, or repairing buildings and integrated systems like HVAC. The program works by having the State Treasurer place state funds (as certificates of deposit) with eligible banks, which then offer these low-cost loans to qualifying schools, requiring borrowers to certify funds will be used solely for infrastructure. The State Treasurer and Board review applications, with banks applying standard credit checks and prioritizing schools based on local educational needs.
SB 247 creates the "Fund Students, Not Systems Education Savings Account Program" in Oklahoma, allowing eligible students (ages 5-18, including some with disabilities) to receive state education funds for qualified expenses. The State Department of Education calculates ESA amounts based on each student’s school district’s state aid factors, then transfers funds quarterly to cover approved costs like tuition, textbooks, therapy, and field trips. Families apply annually by April 1 to choose participating schools (public, private, charter, or homeschool), with funds restricted to specific educational services listed in the bill. The program aims to provide parental choice while requiring no new oversight for private schools or homeschools, though it does not change public school funding levels.
SB 1340 raises income eligibility limits for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program, directly affecting low-income students seeking college benefits. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, the bill increases the maximum parent federal adjusted gross income for qualification to $60,000 (for families with two or fewer children), $70,000 (three or four children), and $80,000 (five or more children). This updates previous thresholds that were lower for earlier school years. The change expands access to the program by allowing more students from middle-income families to qualify for benefits like tuition assistance.
HB 1986 increases retirement benefits by 2% for eligible retirees in six Oklahoma public pension systems: Firefighters, Police, Judges, Law Enforcement, Teachers, and Public Employees. The benefit increase applies to those receiving payments as of June 30, 2025, and continuing after July 1, 2025, with specific calculations based on years of service (up to 30 years). The bill codifies these changes and takes effect November 1, 2025. It does not affect retirees whose benefits were already adjusted under prior provisions.
