Budget & Taxes (Government Transparency)

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.

SB 817 requires local governments and trusts issuing bonds for their benefit to publicly disclose specific details about bond projects, previous bond usage, and unfinished bonds at least 30 days before a bond vote. This applies to counties, cities, school districts, and other local entities covered under Oklahoma's bond laws. The bill mandates that this information be posted on the government's website or made accessible online, including physical addresses for property purchases. Non-compliant entities are prohibited from issuing new bonds until they meet these transparency requirements.

HB 1621, the State Department of Education Spending Transparency Act, requires Oklahoma’s State Treasurer to create a public online portal displaying detailed annual spending data from the Oklahoma State Department of Education (the "Submitting Party"). The portal must include searchable records of all expenditures - showing amounts, dates, payees, employee roles for payroll, and U.S. Census-based spending categories - and allow data downloads and summaries. It mandates annual agreements between the State Treasurer and the education department to maintain the portal, which must be prominently linked on both the Treasurer’s and education department’s websites, effective November 1, 2025.

HB 1068 prohibits Oklahoma state government entities and public trusts (benefiting the state) from signing agreements with businesses that block disclosure of payment terms for state-funded incentives, grants, or tax credits. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and businesses receiving state funds by requiring transparency about how public money is used. The bill allows exceptions for genuine business secrets like trade secrets, input costs, labor expenses, or profit margins provided by the business itself. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and aims to ensure public visibility into state financial transactions with private entities.