Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 212: Teacher preparation; directing the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish TeachForwardOK.

SB 212 directs Oklahoma's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish a two-year pilot program called TeachForwardOK for teacher education programs at accredited public colleges and universities. The bill requires the Commission to issue grants to approved programs to hire technical evaluators who must assess four specific areas: teacher candidate recruitment/completion, program effectiveness, alignment with state workforce needs, and strategies for recruiting nontraditional teachers. Programs must submit electronic responses to evaluation reports within 60 days, and the Commission will award $500,000 to one program to address findings after the pilot. The Commission must submit a final report to state leaders by December 2027 detailing results and recommendations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant-funded pilot program to strengthen teacher education programs through evaluation and alignment with workforce needs.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1277: State Board of Education; providing reasons for which a license or certificate may be revoked or suspended; providing for notice; effective date; emergency.

HB 1277 updates Oklahoma's rules for revoking or suspending educator licenses. It automatically revokes licenses for individuals convicted of specific sexual abuse or exploitation crimes (listed in Oklahoma statutes), expands the grounds for revocation to include willful law violations, child abuse/neglect, moral turpitude, or incompetence, and requires 10 days' written notice before action. The bill applies directly to licensed teachers, principals, school nurses, bus drivers, and other public school staff who work directly with students. It also clarifies that emergency suspensions are limited to defined situations under state law and sets rules for handling certification fees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens educator accountability by automatically revoking licenses for serious offenses, protecting student safety in schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2773: Capitol Improvement Authority; allocation of funds from Legacy Capital Financing Funds; utilization of certain amount for the Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority.

HB 2773 allocates $250 million from Oklahoma's Legacy Capital Financing Fund to Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority (OSUVMA) for constructing, refurbishing, or expanding animal teaching hospitals and related facilities. The funds become available after July 1, 2026, with repayment structured as 20-year recapitalization payments starting in the 2026 state fiscal year. This bill directly benefits OSUVMA by enabling facility improvements for veterinary education and care, using existing state capital funds without creating new state obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $250M from state capital fund to university facilities, advancing public service funding within budget management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $250M for OSU veterinary facilities, directly enhancing higher education infrastructure and programs at a university.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1129: Office of Educational Quality and Accountability; requiring certain funds be utilized for certain purpose; providing for distribution of grants. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1129 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for purposes related to educational quality and accountability. The bill requires these funds to be used for specific duties assigned to the State Board under existing law, though it does not specify exact programs or beneficiaries. It declares an emergency to take immediate effect upon enactment, bypassing the usual 90-day waiting period. The legislation focuses solely on funding allocation without detailing how grants would be distributed or which educational programs would be directly impacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from General Revenue Fund to State Board of Education for educational quality/accountability programs, advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100,000 from General Revenue to State Board for educational quality/accountability duties, advancing funding for education without restrictions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 59: Sales tax; providing exemption for certain organization providing clothing or supplies to certain students. Effective date.

SB 59 exempts certain nonprofit organizations from paying sales tax when purchasing clothing or supplies for students in need. This applies specifically to organizations providing these items directly to students, such as school-based aid programs or community initiatives supporting vulnerable youth. To qualify, organizations must submit required documentation to claim the exemption. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add this specific exemption, effective May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the Governor's signature.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofits from sales tax on student supplies, providing tax relief for organizations serving vulnerable youth and supporting public service funding through targeted tax exemption.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill exempts nonprofits providing clothing/supplies to students in need from sales tax, reducing costs for student support programs. This directly enhances educational access for vulnerable youth by addressing basic needs, aligning with support in...80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Oklahoma · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 245: State Department of Education; directing the Department to establish the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 245 creates the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program for grades K-8, targeting students at least half a grade level behind in math or English language arts. The program requires in-person tutoring (3+ one-hour sessions weekly for 10-12 weeks per semester), with school districts prioritizing federally designated schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Tutors earn bonuses based on student progress (e.g., $1,600 per cohort per semester and $1,000 per grade-level improvement), and districts must track student growth using standardized assessments. Funding comes from a new revolving fund in the State Treasury, supported by state appropriations, federal grants, and other designated sources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates funded tutoring program targeting student achievement gaps with tutor bonuses, directly advancing K-8 educational support through mandated in-person sessions and progress-based incentives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 701: Higher education; authorizing the approval of functional exceptions; expanding classes and programs offered to the people of Muskogee. Effective date.

SB 701 temporarily lifts 11 existing legal restrictions that limit which Oklahoma public colleges can offer specific courses or degree programs in Muskogee and Tulsa areas. It prohibits institutions like Northern Oklahoma College, Connors State College, and Northeastern State University from being restricted to only lower-division courses or specific locations for five academic years. The bill authorizes Oklahoma's State Regents for Higher Education to approve "functional exceptions" allowing institutions to expand course offerings beyond their usual mission to address unmet workforce needs. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting how community colleges and universities operate in these regions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLifts restrictions on higher education programs, expanding course offerings and access in Muskogee/Tulsa areas for public colleges.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 674: Charter schools; Charter Schools Incentive Fund; renaming; state funding; calculation; payments.

SB 674 creates the "Charter Schools Incentive and Closure Reimbursement Fund" to support charter schools with startup costs, building renovations, and closure expenses. It requires charter schools to pay $5 per student (based on average daily membership) into this fund, while modifying how state funding is calculated - allowing new schools a 1.333 multiplier for first-year enrollment to determine initial funding. The bill also clarifies that charter schools receive state aid based on their own enrollment (not their sponsor’s), prohibits sponsors from charging fees beyond a 3% administrative cap on state aid, and states charter schools are considered local education agencies for funding purposes. This affects all Oklahoma charter schools, virtual charter schools, and their sponsors, with the bill now law after governor approval on May 23, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Charter Schools Incentive Fund for startup/closure costs and provides new charters 1.333 enrollment multiplier, directly increasing funding access and support for charter schools within K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1412: Teachers; directing stipends, rather than salary increases, be provided to teachers with certain certificates; effective date; emergency.

HB 1412 changes how Oklahoma school districts compensate teachers with advanced, lead, or master certificates. Instead of providing salary increases, districts must pay stipends using lottery funds (as specified in Section 713 of Title 3A) for these certified educators. The law, signed by the governor on May 23, 2025, directly affects teachers holding these higher-level credentials. It modifies Oklahoma Statutes § 6-190 to require stipends from lottery revenue rather than general salary adjustments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates stipends from lottery funds for certified teachers instead of salary increases, ensuring continued compensation for educators with advanced credentials.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1955: Education; Education Leadership Oklahoma program; clarifying award coverage; increasing maximum amount; repayment; reimbursement; effective date.

HB 1955 supports Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board certification by expanding financial assistance and recognition. It provides up to $1,800 per teacher annually (covering $1,300 in fees plus a $500 scholarship) for application costs and certification expenses, with repayment required if certification isn’t completed within three years. The bill also establishes a $5,000 annual bonus for 10 years for teachers certified before June 30, 2013, or those who applied before that date, while clarifying that bonus eligibility excludes certain salary increments. Additionally, it mandates free mentorship and training support for participating teachers through university partnerships. The law took effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial support ($1,800/teacher annual coverage + $5,000 bonus) for teacher certification, advancing educator development and retention in Oklahoma schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education