SB 1128 appropriates $100,000 from unallocated state funds to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funding for duties required by law. The bill declares an emergency to make it effective immediately upon approval, though it specifies funds come from "monies not otherwise appropriated." The bill failed to pass on May 22, 2025, with 42 votes in favor and 48 against.
HB 1086 updates Oklahoma's school funding rules by redefining how school districts manage their general funds. It requires districts to place capital project funds (like those for building repairs) into a separate building fund instead of the general fund, and eliminates the practice of carrying over general fund money to future years. The bill restricts general fund use for capital projects to only cases where a building is destroyed by disaster (fire, flood, etc.) and other funding sources (insurance, state aid) are insufficient. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts in how they track and spend state and local education funds.
HB 2854 allows Oklahoma's public higher education institutions to modify their program offerings to address unmet workforce needs, beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year. It specifically updates provisions for the University Center at Ponca City (involving Northern Oklahoma College) and a new campus in Muskogee (serving Connors State College and Northeastern State University), removing Northern Oklahoma College's exclusive authority over lower-division courses at Ponca City starting in 2026. The bill establishes separate boards of trustees for each center to manage operations, budgets, and program approvals. These changes apply to institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and directly affect students seeking accessible degree programs in those communities. The legislation focuses on expanding educational access and program flexibility without altering tuition or state funding mechanisms.
SB 796 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from using state funds, property, or resources for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that grant preferential treatment based on race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin. It bans mandatory DEI training, pronoun disclosure requirements, and diversity statements in hiring, while allowing programs supporting first-generation students, low-income students, or underserved groups without race-based preferences. Universities must review and potentially restructure non-compliant DEI initiatives by July 2025 and submit annual compliance certificates starting July 2026. The bill exempts accreditation requirements, academic freedom, student organizations, and data collection from its restrictions.
HB 1940 amends Oklahoma's charter school law to establish a new annual limit: the Statewide Charter School Board may sponsor no more than five new charter schools per year in counties with fewer than 500,000 residents. This directly affects the Statewide Charter School Board's authority and charter school expansion in smaller counties, while maintaining existing sponsorship rules for other areas. The rule applies to all new charter school applications approved after July 1, 2025, when the bill takes effect. The bill does not change sponsorship requirements for schools in larger counties or other sponsor types.
SB 364 prohibits Oklahoma public schools from using physical punishment (corporal punishment) on students with the most significant cognitive disabilities, as defined by state education criteria. It removes any prior allowance for waivers and requires that any exception must be explicitly documented in a student's individualized education program (IEP) under federal special education law. The law directly affects students with significant cognitive disabilities in Oklahoma schools, ensuring they cannot be subjected to physical punishment without specific IEP authorization. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 2888 amends Oklahoma's Tuition Equalization Grant program to set a $50,000 annual income limit for student eligibility (based on parents' income or the student's self-supporting income if independent). It directly affects Oklahoma residents attending 12 specific private, not-for-profit colleges (including Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma Baptist University) who enroll full-time as undergraduates. The bill provides a fixed $2,000 annual grant per eligible student, excludes summer terms, and limits total grant benefits to five years. It also requires institutions to maintain accreditation standards and mandates annual reports on grant recipients' academic outcomes to state leaders. The law became effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1601, the "ARCHER Act," extends maternity leave protections for eligible public school teachers in Oklahoma. It amends existing sick leave rules (70 O.S. § 6-104.8) to require school districts to provide extended leave for teachers who have worked at least 1,250 hours in the past year, specifically covering pregnancy-related needs beyond standard sick leave. The bill creates a dedicated exception to current sick leave policies, ensuring teachers can take leave for maternity without losing pay, aligning with federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) standards. This directly affects full-time classroom teachers in public school districts who meet the employment threshold. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 6, 2025.
SB 942 is a clarifying amendment to an existing education discrimination bill. It adds a specific provision (subsection G) explicitly stating that the bill's provisions do not restrict the implementation, funding, or administration of Indian education programs or services established under federal or state law. This amendment directly affects existing Indian education programs by ensuring they remain protected from potential unintended restrictions under the broader anti-discrimination law. The amendment was added to the bill on February 24, 2025, and the bill became law after the governor approved it on May 6, 2025.
SB 283 expands the annual transaction limit for Oklahoma's master lease program, which allows public higher education institutions to lease equipment and facilities without upfront costs. The bill specifically adds certain refunded lease projects to the annual limit calculation, enabling institutions to count these previously settled transactions toward their yearly cap. This change affects Oklahoma's public universities and colleges that use the master lease program for facility and equipment financing. The amendment updates Section 3206.6a of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes and sets an effective date for implementation.
