Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1361: Schools; definitions; prohibiting school personnel and students from requesting and using certain pronouns or alternate names in certain situations; effective date; emergency.

HB 1361 requires Oklahoma public school personnel and students to use pronouns or names consistent with a person's "assigned sex at birth" (defined by biological sex documented on a birth certificate) without written parental permission. It prohibits school staff from asking students about preferred pronouns or names, and students from requesting staff to use non-birth-sex pronouns or names, unless parents provide written consent. Violations must be reported to administrators within 24 hours, who then notify parents. The bill applies to all public K-12 schools and school employees, excluding students with certain medically documented conditions, and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts student/staff use of preferred pronouns/names without parental consent, limiting expression and curriculum in K-12 schools per bill's requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1339: Schools; directing funds to be allocated to certain school districts to implement the minimum salary schedule. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1339 establishes a tiered minimum salary schedule for certified school personnel (like teachers) in Oklahoma public schools, based on years of experience and education level. It requires the State Board of Education to allocate state funds annually to school districts to implement these salary increases starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their certified staff by mandating specific pay thresholds. The schedule includes detailed pay rates for different experience levels and degrees, with provisions for fringe benefits and out-of-state certification recognition.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates state funds allocation for teacher salary increases, directly increasing public education spending as required by the bill.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates state funding for teacher salary increases based on experience/education, directly supporting educator compensation and retention in public schools.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates state-funded minimum salary increases for school staff based on experience/education, directly raising wages for certified personnel in public schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Professional Licensing

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 913: Substance abuse services; making certain school training mandatory; requiring boards of education of public school districts to provide certain personnel with emergency opioid antagonists under specified condition. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 913 requires Oklahoma public school districts to provide emergency opioid antagonists (like naloxone) to designated school staff and ensure they receive training on recognizing opioid overdoses and administering the medication. It directly affects school personnel - including nurses, health staff, and other authorized employees - and students or individuals at school sites or events. Key provisions mandate that boards of education equip trained staff with naloxone doses for immediate use during suspected overdoses, while the Department of Mental Health provides required training on overdose response and administration. The law also includes Good Samaritan protections, shielding schools and staff from liability when administering naloxone in good faith during an overdose emergency.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates opioid antagonist training and availability for school staff, directly enhancing student/staff safety in educational settings per topic's 'educational access' and 'school personnel' scope.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates naloxone access and training for school staff to address opioid overdoses, directly enhancing public health response in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Substance Abuse

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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

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 4, 2025

SB 62: Schools; prohibiting school districts from making school employee payroll deductions for certain dues and contributions. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 62 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from making payroll deductions for professional organization dues or political contributions from school employees' paychecks. This directly affects teachers and school staff who previously could authorize such deductions through their employers. The bill amends Oklahoma law to remove the requirement that districts automatically process these deductions upon employee request, instead making such deductions prohibited. Key provisions include requiring districts to stop these deductions immediately upon written employee request and preventing advance payments for future dues. The bill does not change how employees pay dues directly or impact other payroll deductions.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits payroll deductions for teacher professional dues, restricting a benefit previously available to educators and reducing their ability to support professional organizations.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits payroll deductions for professional dues, restricting workers' ability to support unions and collective bargaining efforts via automatic payroll contributions.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1015: Teachers; temporary contracts; teachers with emergency or provisional certificates; effective date; emergency.

HB 1015 modifies Oklahoma's teacher contract rules for educators with emergency or provisional certificates. It limits temporary contracts to four semesters (with exceptions for replacement teachers or retirees), requires school districts to provide written contract terms before hiring, and grants teachers who complete a full school year on temporary contracts one year of service credit toward career status. The bill also mandates that due process protections apply to temporary contracts lasting a full school year or funded by federal/private grants. This bill directly affects school districts and teachers with emergency/provisional certification, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides service credit for temporary teachers, requiring written terms and limiting contract duration - supports educator stability and career progression90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2088: Schools; school districts; policy; boards of education; students educated by other means; Oklahoma Extracurricular Activities Accountability Act; interscholastic activities; effective date; emergency.

HB 2088 requires Oklahoma public school districts to create and publish policies allowing homeschooled students (defined as "students educated by other means") to participate in extracurricular activities starting in the 2025-2026 school year. To participate, these students must register by July 1 each year, pay equivalent fees, follow the same behavioral and academic standards as enrolled students, and meet academic requirements through an agreement between their parent and the district. The bill amends existing law to mandate that school athletic associations permit this participation and comply with the new requirements. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies directly to homeschooling families and public school districts in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by requiring public schools to allow homeschooled students to participate in extracurriculars under defined conditions, aligning with 'enhancing student programs'.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 867: Schools; annual reports for the Oklahoma School Testing Program; requiring certain reports. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 867 requires Oklahoma public schools to include specific new metrics in annual school report cards provided to parents. The bill mandates that report cards list at least five enrichment and support indicators (such as STEM courses, mental health support, and extracurricular activities) and at least three staffing experience and retention indicators (like teacher certification rates). These requirements apply to all schools with tested students, directly affecting parents receiving the reports and school districts responsible for publishing them. The bill updates existing reporting under Oklahoma's school testing program without changing the overall grading system or assessment methods.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates reporting on enrichment programs (STEM, mental health) and staffing retention, enhancing transparency and accountability for student support and educator stability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Testing & Assessment

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1540: Appropriations; Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1540 creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund within the State Treasury to support career and technology education programs. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), will use state appropriations, gifts, and donations to expand career tech education based on critical occupation data. It operates as a reusable fund (replenished by incoming revenue) until July 1, 2030, with expenditures requiring state treasurer warrants. The bill directly affects ODCTE's ability to fund workforce training programs, aiming to align education with local job market needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state fund for career tech education via appropriations, expanding essential workforce programs through government spending, directly advancing budget allocation for public services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates fund to expand career tech education programs, increasing funding and access for workforce training within education system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds career tech education programs to align with critical occupations, enhancing workforce development and employment opportunities through dedicated state funding.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds career and technology education programs to develop workforce skills in tech fields, directly advancing technology sector workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Workforce Development

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SJR 26: Constitutional amendment; creating the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.

SJR 26 proposes a constitutional amendment creating Oklahoma's "Taxpayer's Bill of Rights" (Section 44 of Article X), requiring voter approval for new local taxes and debt. It directly affects cities, counties, and school districts (referred to as "districts") by limiting annual spending growth to local property value increases or student enrollment changes, mandating refunds with 10% annual interest for excess tax collections, and requiring specific voter disclosures before tax or debt measures. Key provisions include prohibiting new property transfer taxes, blocking local income taxes, and requiring districts to mail detailed budget notices to voters 30 days before elections. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2028, if approved by voters.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts new local taxes/debt, limits spending growth to property values/student enrollment, mandates refunds for excess collections, directly limiting government fiscal authority.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill limits school district spending growth to property value/enrollment changes, restricting funding flexibility and potentially reducing education budgets through spending caps.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Debt & Bonds

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