SB 1309 modifies Oklahoma's funding for road and bridge projects by increasing annual allocations to the Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund (ROADS Fund). It sets specific annual amounts: $100 million starting in fiscal year 2026 (up from $80 million), rising to $575 million for 2021, $590 million for 2022, and $610 million for 2025 onward. The bill requires the full annual amount to be allocated by July 30 each year and directs $2 million annually to the Heartland Flyer rail project and $3 million to public transit. These funds are exclusively for state highway construction, maintenance, debt service, and specific infrastructure projects managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
HB 1046 creates the Oklahoma Spay and Neuter Grant Program, overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, to reduce animal shelter overpopulation and euthanasia by funding spay/neuter services. It authorizes grants for local governments and animal welfare organizations targeting low-income communities and feral cat populations (where permitted), requiring competitive proposals that detail efficient service delivery and public outreach. The program includes an advisory board to review proposals, but the bill appropriates $0 for implementation, meaning no funds are allocated yet. The program will take effect July 1, 2026, pending future funding decisions.
HB 1572 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax apportionment to increase funding for tourism. It removes a $5 million annual cap on the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Revolving Fund, raises the percentage of sales tax revenue allocated to tourism from 0.87% to 1.0% for fiscal years 2026 and beyond, and changes the distribution to 36% for Promotion, 64% for Capital Improvement, and $6.6 million for Route 66. The bill also eliminates restrictions prohibiting tourism funds from covering salaries. These changes directly affect the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion, Capital Improvement, and Route 66 Commission funds, increasing their available resources for operations and projects.
HB 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.
SB 228 proposes creating "covenant marriage" in Oklahoma as a distinct legal option, requiring couples to sign a detailed Declaration of Intent affirming lifelong commitment, complete premarital counseling, and file this document with their marriage license application. It establishes stricter divorce rules, allowing dissolution only for abandonment, abuse, or adultery after mandatory counseling (except in abuse cases), and permits conversion of existing marriages to covenant marriages through similar steps. The bill also creates an annual tax credit of $2,500 for joint filers or $1,250 each for separate filers for couples entering covenant marriage, non-refundable but carry-forwardable for five years. The bill, introduced in 2025 but failed in committee, has not become law.
HB 2374 creates a film production rebate program in Oklahoma for productions meeting specific filming requirements. It provides rebates to eligible film and television productions that film at least 75% of a season or pilot within the state, based on qualifying local spending like wages for Oklahoma residents or crew. The program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tax Commission, requires applicants to verify payments to local crew, vendors, and tax compliance. Productions must submit annual reports detailing rebate payments to legislative committees. The bill directly affects film studios, production companies, and local crew members who qualify under its spending and filming criteria.
HB 2443 increases Oklahoma's annual funding cap for film industry rebates from $30 million to $80 million. It sets specific spending limits: $7.5 million for productions under $7.5 million total cost, $22.5 million for larger productions, $10 million for live studio audience shows, and $8 million for low-budget films under $1 million. The bill requires productions to spend at least $50,000 to qualify for rebates and allows unused funds to carry over to the next fiscal year. This directly affects film production companies in Oklahoma that meet the spending thresholds for these incentives.
SB 1178 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2026 to support its existing mental health and substance abuse services duties. The bill directly affects state-funded mental health programs by providing dedicated funding for current operations. It includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take immediate effect without the governor's signature, which occurred on May 29, 2025. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely allocating existing resources. The appropriation is limited to the specified amount and purpose as defined in the bill text.
SB 810 creates Oklahoma's "Zero-Based Budgeting Implementation Act," requiring the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to categorize all state agencies into tiers based on budget size, employee count, and regulatory scope (e.g., statutes, rules, licenses). It mandates a staggered 6-year review cycle where higher-budget agencies are reviewed every 4-6 years and lower-budget agencies every 2-4 years, ensuring balanced annual review loads. Starting July 2026, LOFT must collaborate with agencies and the Governor’s office to analyze each agency’s programs, costs, statutory authority, and performance measures, then provide annual budget recommendations by December 1st. This directly affects all Oklahoma state agencies receiving funding, including boards, commissions, and trusts.
SB 137 creates the "Oklahoma State Penitentiary Prison Rodeo Revolving Fund" to finance improvements to the prison rodeo arena at Oklahoma State Penitentiary. It appropriates $8.3 million from the General Revenue Fund for facility construction, repair, and upgrades to support prison rehabilitation programs and local economic development. The fund, managed by the Department of Corrections, will cover costs for the arena's maintenance and programming. This bill directly affects the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the operations of the prison rodeo program at Oklahoma State Penitentiary.
