Education (Higher Education)

signed · Oklahoma · House May 30, 2025

HB 1727: Higher education; Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; eligibility for children of certain teachers; effective date; emergency.

HB 1727 amends Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program (OK HAP) to add a new eligibility category for children of certified classroom teachers. Specifically, it allows students whose parents are certified teachers to qualify for tuition assistance without needing to meet standard financial need requirements (normally required under Section 2603). The bill does not change other eligibility criteria like residency, academic performance, or admission standards. This change directly affects students pursuing higher education in Oklahoma whose parents work as certified teachers in the state. The policy went into effect June 10, 2025, after Governor approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves financial need requirement for children of teachers to access tuition assistance, expanding educational access under OK HAP without altering other criteria.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1336: Education; creating the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act; providing certain waivers; providing for calculation of waiver amounts. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1336 creates the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act, providing tuition waivers for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or higher. It covers 50% to 100% of undergraduate tuition/fees at public universities or 50% to 100% of tuition at technology centers, based on disability rating (e.g., 60% disability = 50% waiver; 100% disability = 100% waiver). Veterans must first use all available federal education benefits, and waivers apply only to required courses (max 150 credits) or career programs (max 3 years), excluding textbooks or housing. The state must annually fund these waivers through legislative appropriations, subject to budget availability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded tuition waivers for veterans, increasing government spending on education access per budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for veterans with disabilities, expanding higher education access via financial support for public universities/technology centers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition waivers (50-100%) for veterans with ≥60% service-connected disability, expanding education benefits after federal benefits are exhausted.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 10, 2025

HB 1395: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; website requirements; effective date.

HB 1395 creates a tax credit program for Oklahoma parents or guardians paying eligible education costs for students. It allows taxpayers to claim credits of up to $7,500 annually (based on family income) for private school tuition, academic tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees for students attending accredited private schools or alternative education programs. The credit amount decreases as household income rises, with special provisions for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students (requiring 90% of enrollment to qualify based on income thresholds). This bill directly affects Oklahoma families choosing private education or alternative learning options, reducing their state income tax liability for qualifying education expenses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief via credits for education expenses, decreasing tax burden for lower/middle income families per bill's income-based credit structure.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits for private school expenses, expanding parental educational choice and access for K-12 students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2273: Higher Education; Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Act; workforce development grant program; effective date; emergency.

HB 2273 creates the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma residents pursuing degrees in fields needed by the Department of Transportation (DOT). Students receive coverage for resident tuition, fees, and academic service fees (up to 18 credit hours per semester) for up to 120 credit hours toward an undergraduate degree or a master's degree, contingent on maintaining a 2.0 GPA and good academic standing. In exchange, participants must work for the DOT in an eligible profession for five years after graduation; failure to complete the degree or fulfill the work requirement triggers repayment of all assistance received. The program is funded through DOT resources and private/public donations, with repayments deposited into a dedicated revolving fund.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance program for DOT-related higher education fields, directly funding access and workforce development within education.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates workforce development grant program for DOT-related fields, supporting transportation sector workforce needs through education funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 177: Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education; creating revolving fund; making an appropriation to revolving fund. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 177 creates the "Morrill Act of 1890 Revolving Fund" under Oklahoma’s State Regents for Higher Education to provide stable, long-term funding for the state’s land-grant institutions established under the 1890 Morrill Act (like Langston University). It appropriates $418,986,272 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to ensure equitable distribution of funds to these institutions without annual budgeting constraints. The fund operates as a continuing pool, allowing the Regents to manage and distribute resources directly to eligible institutions via state treasurer warrants. This bill directly affects Oklahoma’s 1890 land-grant institutions and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $418M revolving fund from General Revenue for stable, long-term funding of land-grant institutions without annual budgeting constraints, advancing public higher education fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates $418M for stable funding of land-grant higher education institutions (e.g., Langston University), directly advancing institutional financial stability and access under higher education focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Revenue Higher Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1020: Higher education; Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; eligibility for children of certain public school employees; effective date; emergency.

HB 1020 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of public school employees who have worked for at least five consecutive years. This specifically covers teachers, librarians, certified nurses, support staff, and correctional instructors with teaching certificates paid by public funds. The bill exempts these students from the standard financial need requirement, automatically qualifying them for tuition assistance. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education must verify the parent's employment status to implement this change.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands tuition assistance eligibility for children of educators, removing financial barriers to higher education access and directly funding educational opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 388: Students; authorizing students enrolled in charter and virtual charter schools to participate in certain extracurricular activities under certain circumstances. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 388 allows students enrolled in charter schools or virtual charter schools to participate in public school extracurricular activities, such as sports or clubs, if they meet residency requirements. It requires school associations to update their policies to include these students and amends Oklahoma’s Extracurricular Activities Accountability Act (70 O.S. 27-103) to reflect this change. The bill defines "resident school district" based on student residence and applies to all charter schools, including virtual ones, effective July 1, 2024. This policy change directly affects students in non-traditional schools seeking equal access to campus activities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands educational access by enabling charter/virtual charter students to participate in public school extracurricular activities under residency requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1389: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; modifying annual limit for certain fiscal years. Emergency.

SB 1389 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act by increasing annual credit limits for parents or guardians paying qualified education expenses for eligible students. The bill sets income-based maximums: $7,500 for households earning under $75,000, decreasing to $5,000 for households earning over $250,000, with special provisions for schools serving homeless or financially disadvantaged students. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers who pay tuition or approved educational expenses (like curriculum, tutoring, or assessments) for students in accredited private schools or qualifying educational programs. The credit applies to tax years 2024 and beyond, with the Oklahoma Tax Commission required to publish specific administrative information. This bill adjusts existing credit limits without changing the program's core structure or eligibility rules.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases tax credit limits for middle-income families ($7,500 under $75k), providing direct tax relief while capping credits for higher earners.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases tax credits for education expenses, expanding access for lower-income families and disadvantaged students via income-based limits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Curriculum Higher Education School Choice

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2019: Revenue and taxation; income tax credit; aerospace industry; effective date.

HB 2019 amends Oklahoma's tax code to create two new tax credits for the aerospace industry. It allows Oklahoma aerospace employers to claim a credit equal to 5-10% of wages paid to employees with Oklahoma degrees (up to $12,500 annually), and employees to claim up to $5,000 annually in tax credits for tuition reimbursement (capped at $5,000 total over five years). Both credits apply only to the first five years of employment and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. The bill extends these credits through 2032 (previously 2026) and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects Oklahoma aerospace companies and their employees who meet the education and employment criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates targeted tax credits for aerospace employers and employees, reducing tax liability and aligning with tax relief indicators for workforce development.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition reimbursement tax credits (up to $5,000 annually, capped at $5,000 total over five years) for employees, directly supporting higher education access.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education

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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

Sub-Topics Higher Education