HB 3711 requires Oklahoma school districts with websites to publicly disclose detailed spending data on their websites, including all state, federal, and local funds used for instruction, administration, and other purposes. It specifically mandates that districts display the percentage of total spending allocated to "instructional expenditures" (defined as funds directly supporting teaching, per the National Center for Education Statistics) on their homepage. This applies to all school districts with websites, requiring them to post this information alongside full expenditure details like budgeted vs. actual costs and superintendent compensation. The bill aims to increase transparency for parents and the public about how school funds are spent.
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.
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.
HB 3704 directs Oklahoma to participate in a federal income tax credit program allowing individuals to claim a credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill requires the Governor to certify Oklahoma's participation to the U.S. Treasury and designates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to register SGOs, maintain their lists, and handle federal reporting. This enables Oklahoma taxpayers to claim the federal credit for qualifying donations, while coordinating with Oklahoma's existing state tax credit for SGO contributions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and remains in place until changed by law or federal policy.
SB 1189 requires Oklahoma's School Security Revolving Fund to allocate $50 million annually for three fiscal years (starting July 2026) to all public school districts equally. It removes previous spending limits on the fund and mandates that these funds supplement, not replace, existing school security funding. The bill directs funds toward security measures like resource officers, cameras, locks, and panic systems. It takes effect July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration to expedite implementation. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts through guaranteed annual security funding.
SB 1262 provides a resident tuition waiver for Oklahoma students under 18 who were victims of human trafficking for commercial sex or labor, as defined in Oklahoma law. The waiver covers no resident tuition at Oklahoma public colleges and universities but is limited to five years from the date of eligibility. It requires rules to be established for implementation and takes effect immediately upon passage. The bill directly affects Oklahoma residents who were minors during specific trafficking offenses.
SB 366 changes Oklahoma's charter school application process by removing the requirement for applicants to first submit proposals to the local school district. Instead, starting July 1, 2025, new charter school applications must be submitted directly to a proposed sponsor (such as a school district board, university, or approved organization). This applies to all new applications filed after July 1, 2024, streamlining the process for charter school developers. Virtual charter schools remain subject to separate submission rules with the Statewide Charter School Board. The bill updates statutory language to reflect this procedural shift.
SB 2006 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from using state funds to provide scholarships, grants, tuition aid, or discounted tuition to foreign national students from countries designated as "countries of particular concern" by the U.S. Department of State. This applies starting with the 2026-2027 academic year and directly affects eligible international students from those specific countries. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education must create rules to implement the law, though private or non-state funding for such aid remains unaffected. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is classified as an emergency measure.
SB 1790, the "Protected Learning Environment Act," requires Oklahoma public schools to adopt a standardized discipline system by the 2027-2028 school year. It mandates the State Department of Education to create a three-tiered discipline matrix (for minor, moderate, and serious behaviors) that ensures consistent, trauma-informed responses while complying with federal laws like IDEA and FERPA. School districts must train staff, document incidents electronically, and report annual safety data to the state, including trends in student behavior and compliance. The law directly affects all public school students, staff, and parents by standardizing consequences for disruptions (e.g., off-task behavior in Tier 1, violence in Tier 3) and requiring alternative placements for students with repeated serious infractions.
SB 1237 creates Oklahoma's "Teachers' Bill of Rights," granting specific protections to public school teachers, administrators, and support staff. It directly affords rights including free expression (like keeping religious materials in classrooms, wearing faith-based jewelry, and praying with students), protection from harassment or threats, classroom discipline authority (removing disruptive students), medical privacy (refusing vaccines/masks as employment condition), and guaranteed planning time (1 hour) and lunch (20 minutes). The bill also requires school districts to establish a due process plan for reporting rights violations, including anonymous reporting and timely investigations. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency.
