SB 1133 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The funds are intended to support the Regents' existing statutory duties in overseeing the state's public higher education system. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policies or program changes, declared an emergency to take immediate effect. It directly affects the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education by providing budgetary support for their current operations.
SB 1130 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fulfill its legal duties. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funding for its operations. It declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval, though it does not change existing education policies or create new requirements.
SB 1131 appropriates $100,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support their existing duties. The bill declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. It does not create new programs or change existing laws, but provides specific funding for the State Regents' ongoing operations. This is a routine budgetary measure affecting only the State Regents' financial allocation.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish the "Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust Fund" for Oklahoma's tobacco settlement funds. It requires that at least 75% of new tobacco settlement payments (after 2001) be deposited into this trust fund, with specific percentages increasing over time. The trust fund's earnings must be used for cancer research, tobacco prevention programs, children's health initiatives, senior care programs, and education-related expenses, with unused funds remaining in the trust. The amendment creates two governing boards to manage investments and allocate funds, and it would require voter approval before taking effect.
SB 1432 removes the temporary "pilot program" designation and the July 1, 2026 sunset date from Oklahoma's alternative teacher certification pathways. This permanent change affects teacher certification providers and candidates who use non-traditional routes to become licensed educators. The bill amends Oklahoma law to make these innovative certification programs permanent, eliminating the requirement for annual reapproval and the expiration date. It ensures providers offering these pathways no longer need to operate under temporary status, streamlining the process for educators seeking certification through alternative routes.
HB 3029 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Education to create a four-year plan addressing the Oklahoma Department of Education's program needs. The plan must include long-term goals, details on new programs, cost analyses, and specific implementation strategies. The State Board must submit this annual plan to the Governor and legislature by December 1 each year, with updates reviewed yearly. The bill takes effect September 1, 2026.
HB 3429 creates a $50 million Career Technology Business Partnership Pool to finance economic development projects in Oklahoma. It allows career technology districts (vocational schools) to partner with for-profit businesses, using pooled financing for projects that meet workforce needs. Key requirements include adding financial literacy courses to district curricula, prohibiting districts from having outstanding debt while using the program, and ending eligibility after June 30, 2032. The pool is managed by the Oklahoma Development Finance Authority, with bonds potentially issued tax-exempt under federal law.
This Oklahoma House Concurrent Resolution expresses support for eliminating the United States Department of Education and urges the U.S. Congress to cooperate with that goal. The document argues that education is a state responsibility under the Tenth Amendment and claims that federal involvement has led to excessive regulations and poor student outcomes in Oklahoma. It highlights concerns about declining national reading scores and asserts that local control would better address educational needs. The resolution does not change any laws or policies within Oklahoma but serves as a formal statement of legislative sentiment regarding federal education policy.
HB 3242 requires public schools, public higher education institutions, and domestic violence shelters to designate restrooms, changing areas, and sleeping quarters as exclusively for males or females. It prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with someone of the opposite sex unless they are family members (e.g., parent, sibling), and mandates single-sex facilities for all shared spaces where undressing occurs. Exceptions include emergencies, maintenance, and coaches entering locker rooms during athletic events under strict conditions (e.g., students fully clothed, accompanied by another adult). Noncompliant schools face a 5% state funding cut, and parents can sue school districts for violations. The law applies to all public K-12 schools, colleges, and shelters operating under state oversight.
HB 4358 limits screen time for prekindergarten through fifth grade public school students to one hour per school day, including all classroom activities using devices like tablets, computers, or smart devices. The law exempts students requiring special education accommodations under IEPs or 504 plans, as well as necessary assistive technology. It applies to all public schools in Oklahoma starting the 2026-2027 school year. The bill defines "screen time" broadly to cover both teacher-directed and student-selected digital activities during school hours.
