HB 4301 requires escrow and title companies to return earnest money to qualified U.S. veterans or active duty military members if a property appraises for less than the contract price. Companies that fail to comply face a $500 civil penalty per violation, with the funds added to the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Revolving Fund. The bill enforces a federal rule (38 C.F.R. § 36.4303(k)) and takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects veterans, active duty military members purchasing property, and the entities handling their escrow payments.
HB 3847 prevents the sale of single-family homes for unpaid property taxes in Oklahoma counties with over 100,000 residents, specifically protecting elderly or disabled homeowners. It requires homeowners aged 65+ or classified as totally disabled (with medical proof), living in their home (not renting it), earning below federal poverty income guidelines, and owning property valued under $180,000 to qualify for an exemption. Homeowners must apply annually to the county treasurer with proof of eligibility, though taxes, interest, and penalties continue to accrue during the exemption. The bill applies only to large counties (per 2020 Census) and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3694 requires Oklahoma counties to use a new form for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses when purchasing a new home. The form verifies their prior exemption from property taxes on a previous homestead under Oklahoma Constitution Sections 8E and 8F. County assessors must then update property records to maintain the exemption on the new home. This policy directly affects disabled veterans and surviving spouses who buy property, ensuring their tax exemption continues seamlessly after moving. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.
HB 3698 creates the Student Eviction Assistance Revolving Fund within Oklahoma's State Department of Education to address housing instability affecting students. The fund provides legal representation for low-income families (indigent tenants) with children enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade facing eviction (forcible entry/detainer cases), with referrals required through their school district. Funding comes from state appropriations, federal grants, and donations, and is allocated across all 77 counties based on poverty rates and chronic absenteeism data. The bill mandates annual audits of legal service organizations, requires detailed expenditure reports to state leaders, and takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3386 modifies Oklahoma's landlord-tenant law by requiring court-supervised mediation before a landlord can terminate a lease due to unpaid rent when minor children reside in the rental unit. For all other tenants without minor children, landlords may still terminate leases after a 5-day grace period following written notice of unpaid rent. The bill amends Section 131 of Title 41 O.S. 2021 and becomes effective November 1, 2026, directly affecting landlords and tenants in households with minor children facing rent delinquency.
HB 3388 makes it illegal for landlords to advertise a rental property as having "all bills paid" (including utilities like water, sewer, gas, electricity, and trash) but then charge tenants extra for those utilities after signing a lease. This law directly affects landlords who misrepresent rental costs and tenants who could be misled by such advertising. It defines "bills" as basic utilities required for habitability and prohibits the practice as a deceptive trade practice under Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act. Violators face existing penalties under that law, and the bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1574 increases Oklahoma's annual cap for affordable housing tax credits from $4 million to $8 million for allocation years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. It directly affects developers of low-income housing projects that qualify under federal tax credit rules and investors claiming these state tax credits. The bill maintains that state credits cannot exceed federal credits for a project and must be used for projects placed in service after July 2015. The change provides more funding for affordable housing initiatives without altering eligibility requirements.
HB 3347 would exempt Oklahoma homeowners aged 65 or older from all property taxes on their primary residence (homestead). Currently, homesteads receive a $1,000 tax exemption; this bill replaces that with full exemption for seniors. The change applies to all property taxes based on home value (ad valorem taxes) and takes effect January 1, 2027. It directly affects Oklahoma seniors living in their primary homes, reducing their property tax burden significantly. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes Section 2889 to expand the existing homestead exemption for this age group.
HB 4409 creates a new bipartisan Legislative Workforce Housing Committee to improve Oklahoma's affordable housing access. The committee, composed of equal members from both legislative chambers and parties, will work directly with the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency to administer the state's Housing Stability Program and develop policy changes. It will establish its own meeting rules and may seek input from community groups or outside experts to address housing needs. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and does not change existing housing funding or programs.
SB 2149 requires Oklahoma municipalities to remove illegal discriminatory language from property maps (plats) under the Fair Housing Act. It directs cities to pass ordinances amending plats, after giving 30 days' written notice to all property owners in the affected area and securing municipal council approval. County clerks must then delete the discriminatory language from the official records without needing owner votes. The bill applies to all existing plats containing unlawful restrictions, making such clauses unenforceable and void under state law. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
