Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1747: Higher education; Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program; no award for reenrollment in failed courses; effective date; emergency.

HB 1747 prohibits Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OK-HLAP) funding for students reenrolling in courses they previously failed. The bill directly affects Oklahoma students receiving OK-HLAP financial aid, which covers tuition at public or private higher education institutions. Key provisions ban payments for retaking failed courses starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, while maintaining existing rules on funding for remedial courses (banned since 2018-2019) and other eligibility limits. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and was declared an emergency.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits OK-HLAP funding for retaking failed courses, restricting financial aid access and limiting program usage for higher education students.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2236: Economic development; College Graduate Retention Incentive Partnership; Oklahoma Department of Commerce; incentive payments; effective date; emergency.

HB 2236 establishes Oklahoma's College Graduate Retention Incentive Partnership (GRIP) program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. It requires participating employers (any business or organization in Oklahoma) to pay eligible graduates of Oklahoma colleges or universities $1,000 annually for up to four years of employment in the state. The program includes a public list of participating employers maintained by the Department and mandates advertising to both employers and students. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates incentive for employers to retain Oklahoma college graduates, strengthening higher education outcomes and workforce development in state.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 686: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; applying authorized but unused credit to subsequent annual limitation. Effective date.

SB 686 amends Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act to allow taxpayers to carry forward unused portions of their annual credit amount to future tax years. This change specifically increases the annual credit limitation by the amount of certain unused credits from prior years, while removing the previous option to reallocate unused credits between different types of qualified education expenses. The bill affects Oklahoma taxpayers claiming the credit for eligible students' education costs, including private school tuition and related expenses, as defined under the existing program. It does not alter the credit amounts or income thresholds but changes how unused credit is handled administratively.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAmends tax credit to allow unused credits to carry forward, expanding tax relief for education expenses and increasing credit flexibility for taxpayers.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables taxpayers to carry forward unused education tax credits, increasing flexibility and access to funding for K-12 education expenses without restricting options.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 1272: Higher education; increasing income eligibility for an Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grant. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1272 raises the maximum family income limit for Oklahoma students to qualify for the Tuition Equalization Grant, a program providing up to $2,000 annually toward college costs. This change directly affects low- and middle-income Oklahoma residents who were previously ineligible due to income thresholds but now meet the updated criteria. The bill amends statute 70 O.S. § 2632 to reflect this higher income limit without altering the grant amount or other eligibility requirements, and it takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationSB 1272 expands access to higher education funding by raising income eligibility for Oklahoma's Tuition Equalization Grant, allowing more low/middle-income students to qualify for up to $2,000 annual aid.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 10, 2025

SB 410: Schools; requiring students beginning certain school year to complete a computer science unit to graduate with standard diploma. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates computer science curriculum for graduation, replacing language requirements to enhance digital literacy and modernize K-12 education standards.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates computer science education for all high school students, advancing digital literacy and workforce readiness through required programming/hardware curriculum.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education K-12 Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 24, 2025

SB 58: Higher education; creating the First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act; providing for eligibility; allowing tuition waiver for certain time period. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 58 creates Oklahoma's First Responder Recruitment and Retention Act, providing resident tuition waivers at state colleges for eligible first responders. It directly affects peace officers (per 21 O.S. §648), fire department members (volunteer or paid), and licensed emergency medical technicians (per 63 O.S. §1-2505). Eligible students can receive tuition waivers for up to five years or until degree completion, whichever comes first, but only after exhausting other state or federal aid. The program requires applications verifying eligibility and maintaining academic standards at participating Oklahoma higher education institutions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition waivers for first responders at state colleges, expanding higher education access through cost reduction for eligible groups.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides tuition waivers for EMTs (medical professionals), supporting recruitment/retention in healthcare workforce, aligning with workforce development indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1243: Career and technology education; creating the National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act; tuition assistance; repayment amount; hardship waiver; creating fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for tuition assistance, directly allocating budget resources to fund National Guard education programs without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance fund for National Guard members in career tech programs, expanding educational access and funding for vocational training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members in technology certification programs, funding workforce development in technology fields.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members' career training, directly supporting veterans' education and employment benefits through state-funded program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1396: Schools; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; prohibiting private schools from requiring parent to participate.

HB 1396 prohibits private schools in Oklahoma from requiring parents to participate in the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program as a condition for enrolling their child. It requires schools to provide enrolled students using the tax credit a written tuition agreement showing the base rate, with future increases limited to the State Treasurer's annual inflation measure (based on local consumer index data) and requiring written notice at least one semester in advance. This applies only to students receiving the tax credit, not to other students. The bill aims to prevent schools from tying enrollment to tax credit participation while standardizing tuition increase notifications for tax credit users. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProhibits private schools from mandating tax credit participation for enrollment, ensuring access and capping tuition increases at inflation, advancing educational choice and affordability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 682: Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; modifying installment payment for certain eligible students. Effective date.

SB 682 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program to change how taxpayers claim credits for private school expenses. It establishes income-based credit limits (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) for parents or guardians paying tuition at accredited private schools, with higher amounts for families below certain income thresholds. The bill also prohibits the Oklahoma Tax Commission from reclaiming credits for eligible students and clarifies that credits cover tuition, fees, and approved educational materials. This directly affects Oklahoma families using the program to offset private school costs, with specific provisions for schools serving homeless or financially disadvantaged students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes income-based tax credits for private school tuition, providing targeted tax relief to lower-income families through modified credit limits and prohibited reclaiming.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates income-based tax credits for private school tuition, expanding access for families and enhancing educational choice options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice

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passed · Oklahoma · House May 21, 2025

HB 2854: Higher education; authorizing certain course offerings at certain institutions beginning in certain academic year; allowing duplication of certain courses; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables higher education institutions to modify course offerings to address workforce needs, expanding educational access and relevance without restricting curriculum or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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