Budget & Taxes (Public Safety)

HB 3831 formally designates Oklahoma Task Force 1 (OK-TF1) as the state's official urban search and rescue team for emergency deployments, requiring it to be the first asset sent for out-of-state disaster responses under the Emergency Management Assistance Compact. The bill appropriates $5 million from the General Revenue Fund for the Emergency Management Assistance Compact Revolving Fund, with $2 million specifically allocated to support OK-TF1's Oklahoma City and Tulsa teams. Funds must cover deployment costs, training, equipment, and operational expenses but cannot be used for routine fire department operations or facilities. This establishes clear funding and operational guidelines for OK-TF1's disaster response capabilities within Oklahoma.

SB 1371 allocates $8 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to create the Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund, with $8 million then specifically directed to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. This funding is for constructing public safety facilities (like emergency response centers) within a 30-mile radius of Oklahoma municipalities north of I-40 and east of I-44 that have populations between 35,000 and 50,000 residents. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency to expedite implementation. It directly affects eligible rural communities and the Department of Commerce, focusing on targeted infrastructure development.

SB 1164 appropriates $100,000 from the state general fund to Oklahoma's Department of Public Safety for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support its existing legal duties. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate funding for public safety needs, though it does not specify new programs or services. This is a routine budget allocation for an existing state agency, not a policy change affecting residents directly. The funds will be used as needed by the Department of Public Safety to carry out its current responsibilities. The bill was introduced on March 31, 2025, and referred to the Appropriations Committee.

HB 1332 creates a new income tax credit for Oklahoma-licensed emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. It provides tiered credits based on certification level: $100 for emergency medical responders (EMRs), $200 for emergency medical technicians (EMTs), $400 for advanced/intermediate EMTs (AEMTs), and $600 for paramedics. To qualify, workers must maintain active Oklahoma licensure and be verified as current employees by their ambulance service administrator through a new online system managed by the State Department of Health. The credit applies to tax years beginning January 1, 2025, and can be combined with other tax credits. This bill directly affects licensed EMS workers employed in Oklahoma ambulance services.