Housing

signed · Oklahoma · House May 14, 2025

HB 1549: Public finance; private activity bond allocation; definitions; pools; application; effective date.

HB 1549 modifies Oklahoma's allocation system for private activity bonds, which are tax-exempt bonds used to fund projects like housing and economic development. It redefines key terms and adjusts how the state's annual bond issuance limit ("state ceiling") is divided into specific pools, including increasing the Student Loan Pool to 15.5% and creating new pools for beginning agricultural producers and rural housing. These changes affect state agencies, local governments, housing authorities, and other bond issuers that rely on tax-exempt financing for projects like affordable housing, student loans, and economic development. The bill specifies that allocations from certain pools require approvals from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or the Council of Bond Oversight. It became law on May 14, 2025, without gubernatorial action.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates new rural housing pool in bond allocation system, directing tax-exempt bonds toward housing development projects per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 333: Oklahoma Housing Authorities Act; modifying definition.

SB 333 amends Oklahoma's Housing Authorities Act to update the definition of "area of operation" for city housing authorities. It specifically allows active, certified city housing authorities to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for projects anywhere in the state until December 31, 2027, provided they consult with the city, county, and other housing authorities in the project area. This change applies only to ARPA/SLFRF-funded projects and does not alter existing boundaries for other housing initiatives. The amendment becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows housing authorities to use ARPA/SLFRF funds for statewide housing projects until 2027, advancing funding for housing initiatives without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 681: Ad valorem tax; requiring notice of valuation increase to include information on limitation of fair cash value. Effective date.

SB 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax notice requirements to ensure homeowners with homestead properties receive clear information about value limits. Specifically, it requires county assessors to include details on applying for a "limit on fair cash value" (a homestead property tax cap) in written notices when property valuations increase. This applies directly to Oklahoma homeowners whose primary residence qualifies as a homestead under state law. The bill does not change tax rates but improves transparency in the notification process for affected property owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires notices to include homestead tax cap application info, enabling homeowners to access existing property tax relief without changing rates.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires tax notices with homestead cap info, helping homeowners avoid sudden tax increases and maintain housing affordability for primary residences.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Oklahoma · House May 5, 2025

HB 2171: Unlawful land restriction; creating the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act; amendment; county clerk duties and liability; effective date.

HB 2171, the "Oklahoma Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act," allows property owners and homeowners' associations to remove discriminatory restrictions from land records. It creates a specific process for owners to file an amendment with the county clerk to eliminate restrictions based on race, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics, which violate anti-discrimination laws. Homeowners' associations can also remove such restrictions without member votes by amending their governing documents. The law requires amendments to clearly identify the affected property and state that only unlawful restrictions are removed, leaving valid restrictions intact. This directly affects property owners and HOAs holding discriminatory covenants in recorded documents.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes discriminatory housing restrictions (race, religion, disability) from land records, directly preventing housing discrimination and advancing equal access to housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 128: Forcible entry and detainer; extending time period for certain appearance; increasing time period for service of summons. Effective date.

SB 128 extends the required notice period for eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer) in Oklahoma from 3 days to 7 days before the court hearing for most cases, while maintaining a 3-day requirement for emergency evictions under specific subsections of Oklahoma law. It also updates summons language to be plain and understandable, requires public access to the summons form via the court website, and makes certain legal terms gender-neutral. The bill would have affected tenants and landlords in eviction proceedings by giving defendants more time to prepare. However, this bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2025, and is not currently law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends eviction notice period from 3 to 7 days for most cases, strengthening tenant protections by providing more time to respond to eviction proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 2745: Revenue and taxation; banking privilege tax; deductions; effective date.

HB 2745 creates new tax deductions for Oklahoma banks and credit unions that earn interest on qualifying agricultural and housing loans. It allows institutions to deduct up to $500,000 annually (for those with over $750 million in Oklahoma deposits) or $250,000 (for smaller institutions) from their privilege tax bill. The deductions apply to interest earned on agricultural real estate loans, agricultural operating loans, and single-family residence loans made between 2025 and 2028. Total deductions across all institutions are capped at $5 million per year, with annual adjustments to maintain this limit.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill creates tax deductions for large banks/credit unions, reducing government revenue via privilege tax breaks, aligning with 'tax breaks primarily for wealthy'.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax deductions for banks making qualifying housing loans (single-family residences), incentivizing lending to advance housing development and affordability.90% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 2294: Group homes; group home procedure and affected real property owners; mandate; effective date.

HB 2294 allows group homes for people with developmental or physical disabilities to operate as permitted residential uses in all residential zones across Oklahoma, eliminating the need for special permits like conditional use approvals. It requires group home operators to notify all property owners within 300 feet of the proposed location before establishment and mandates the Department of Human Services to create rules within 180 days to prevent over-concentration, setting a minimum 1,200-foot spacing requirement between new group homes. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing additional fees, taxes, or environmental reviews on group homes beyond what applies to single-family residences. This directly affects group home operators, neighboring property owners, and local zoning authorities by standardizing procedures and notification requirements.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves zoning barriers for disability group homes, enabling more accessible housing options without special permits, advancing affordable housing access for disabled residents.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1177: Property; Prohibition of Unfair Service Agreements Act; recording; notice; residential real estate owners; title companies; void if recorded; effective date.

HB 1177 prohibits recording "unfair service agreements" related to residential real estate in Oklahoma property records. It requires county clerks to refuse such recordings and states that any accidentally recorded agreement is void and provides no notice to buyers, creditors, or title companies. The bill directly affects residential property buyers, title companies, and owners by preventing hidden service agreements from appearing in public records. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and ensures these agreements cannot legally bind future property owners.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents hidden unfair fees in property records, protecting buyers from unexpected costs and promoting transparency in residential transactions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1496: Cities and towns; board of adjustment; decisions of the board; final subject to judicial review; appeal to the council; effective date.

HB 1496 changes the appeal process for decisions made by local city or town boards of adjustment (which handle zoning and land use matters). It removes the requirement for a bond when filing appeals in district court, mandates that appeals be re-heard from scratch (de novo), and establishes specific rules for temporary stays during appeals. Courts must consider four factors before granting stays and require bonds (except for municipal governments), with stays automatically ending once a final court decision is issued. This directly affects property owners challenging local decisions and city governments defending them in Oklahoma municipalities.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill removes bond requirement for zoning appeals, making it easier to challenge housing developments, which likely limits housing construction.60% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 2014: Civil procedure; Legal Services Revolving Fund; forcible entry and detainer; effective date.

HB 2014 creates the Legal Services Revolving Fund in Oklahoma to provide legal representation for low-income residents in specific civil cases. It prioritizes family law, domestic violence cases, and eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases, with funds allocated across all 77 counties based on census data showing poverty levels. The bill strictly prohibits using these funds for criminal cases, abortion-related services, or challenges to census data. Eligible legal aid organizations must follow federal auditing standards and report annually on fund usage to state committees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-funded legal aid revolving fund for low-income residents, advancing public service funding in civil cases per budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Legal Services Revolving Fund specifically prioritizing eviction (forcible entry and detainer) cases for low-income tenants, directly strengthening tenant protections and access to housing stability.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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