SB 938 creates a state grant program to help Oklahoma municipalities increase workforce housing availability. Workforce housing is defined as housing for households earning 60% to 120% of the county's median income. Municipalities must submit a detailed plan covering current housing supply, projected needs, land use, and existing programs to qualify for one-time grants administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. The program uses a new revolving fund in the state treasury, funded by state appropriations and private donations, and requires grantees to submit quarterly progress reports and repay funds if they fail to meet agreement terms. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
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.
SB 149 (Oklahoma) protects tenants from landlord retaliation for reporting rental issues. It prohibits landlords from evicting tenants, raising rent, or reducing services for 180 days after a tenant files a complaint about unsafe conditions, reports bed bugs, requests repairs, or participates in a code enforcement inspection. Landlords who violate this face fines of $100-$2,000 per violation plus legal costs. The bill also requires large Oklahoma municipalities to publish online lists of rental property code violations, including owner names and penalties. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
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.
HB 1051, the "Fair Zoning Act of 2025," requires cities with over 20,000 residents to update zoning laws to allow multi-family housing (like apartments and duplexes) alongside single-family homes in all residential zones, ending exclusive single-family zoning. Cities must submit detailed 5-year reports to the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency on zoning changes, new housing units, affordability efforts, and community partnerships. The bill prohibits height restrictions on multi-family buildings that meet state safety standards and historical preservation guidelines, while allowing citizens to sue noncompliant local governments. It takes effect November 1, 2025, aiming to increase housing diversity and accessibility in Oklahoma communities.
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.
HB 1233 limits Oklahoma's use of eminent domain by defining "public use" to include only specific purposes: public roads, buildings, utilities, blighted property remediation, or abandoned properties. It explicitly prohibits governments from taking private property solely for economic development goals like boosting tax revenue, jobs, or general economic growth. The bill requires just compensation for any taking and prevents local governments from expanding eminent domain powers without specific state authorization. This law amends Oklahoma statutes and takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 275 would create the Oklahoma Workforce Housing Commission to develop strategies for expanding affordable housing options. It authorizes the existing Oklahoma Workforce Commission to implement specific reports and housing plans focused on increasing affordable housing access. The bill directly affects low-to-moderate income residents and housing providers by establishing a dedicated commission to coordinate housing initiatives. This proposal aims to increase housing availability through structured planning and implementation, rather than through new funding or regulations.
SB 262 creates the Oklahoma Rental Assistance Grant Program to provide rental subsidies to Oklahomans evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency, the program will be funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury using legislative appropriations, federal funds, and private donations. The revolving fund operates continuously without fiscal year limits, allowing the agency to use these resources for eligible rental assistance. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025.
SB 1393, the RESTORE Act, creates a 50% tax credit for developers converting old, vacant commercial buildings (over 50 years old, vacant for 3+ years, and not eligible for historic tax credits) into residential housing. It directly affects property owners or developers who undertake "adaptive reuse" projects, covering extra renovation costs like environmental cleanup, code compliance, and infrastructure upgrades. The credit is capped at $5 million annually (2027-2037), requires 20% of units to be affordable for 10 years, and allows unused credit to carry forward to future tax years. Projects must meet specific affordability and location criteria, with annual reports tracking housing units and economic impact.
