HB 3022 establishes new rules for non-certified adjunct teachers in Oklahoma public schools. It prohibits these teachers from serving as full-time or part-time classroom instructors for core subjects (math, science, English, social studies) in prekindergarten through sixth grade, while requiring them to hold at least a high school diploma. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to create salary guidelines specifically for part-time noncertified adjunct teachers. This directly affects school districts hiring non-certified staff for limited roles and sets clear boundaries for their classroom responsibilities.
HB 3786 increases the pay of Oklahoma Park Rangers by 15% starting July 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Park Rangers employed by the Division of State Parks within the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. The key provision sets a specific percentage increase in compensation, with an emergency declaration allowing the law to take effect immediately upon approval. The bill does not alter other state employee pay structures or include additional provisions beyond this targeted raise.
HB 3235 prohibits Oklahoma employers from reducing, altering, or terminating retirement benefits for retirees whose retirement was due to disability. It directly affects retirees with disability-related retirements and applies to employers covered under Oklahoma's Anti-Discrimination Act. The bill requires employers to maintain benefits tied to disability-related retirement, allows claims to be filed through the Office of Civil Rights Enforcement or in court, and permits remedies including restored benefits, compensation, and civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation. The bill would take effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3122 strengthens whistleblower protections in Oklahoma by making retaliation against employees who report wrongdoing a punishable offense. It defines retaliation as actions like termination, demotion, or intimidation by public officials, employers, or supervisors, with penalties including up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. The bill also allows whistleblowers to sue for economic and emotional damages, plus attorney fees, if they successfully prove retaliation. The law takes effect on November 1, 2026.
HB 3133 creates the "Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System Act of 2026," establishing a dedicated pension system for Oklahoma firefighters. The bill names the system and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026, without adding the provisions to Oklahoma Statutes (noncodified). It directly affects Oklahoma firefighters by creating a new retirement framework for their benefits. The bill does not detail specific contribution rates, benefit calculations, or other operational mechanisms beyond naming the system and setting its effective date.
HB 4111 creates the Oklahoma Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OOSHA) within the Department of Labor to establish state-level workplace safety standards. It mandates coverage for all public employees (state/local government workers) and allows private employers to voluntarily join the "SoonerSafe" certification program. Certified employers receive up to 10% workers' compensation premium credits, priority for state contracts, and the right to use a "Sooner Safe" seal, while OOSHA will enforce safety rules, provide free consulting, and collect injury data. The program begins July 1, 2026, with $10 million in initial funding to replace federal OSHA oversight for public workers and support private-sector participation.
HB 3340 provides a 5% salary increase for eligible state workers effective July 1, 2026. It applies only to full-time state employees who have held the same position since June 30, 2019, without a salary increase since that date. The bill explicitly excludes employees of Oklahoma's higher education system (including colleges/universities) and common school districts. This policy change affects a specific group of state workers meeting all three criteria, with the increase taking effect on the specified date.
HB 4360 requires Oklahoma public school districts to pay librarians holding a Master's degree 5% above the prevailing wage for certified personnel with similar qualifications in their district. This bill amends the state's salary schedule to establish a specific pay rate for librarians with Master's degrees, ensuring they receive this premium over the standard minimum salary for certified staff. It directly affects public school librarians in Oklahoma who hold a Master's degree and are certified under the state's education standards. The legislation applies to all public school districts and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 3136 allows licensed health care providers (including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) and health care institutions in Oklahoma to refuse certain medical procedures based on moral, ethical, or religious beliefs. It requires providers to submit written notice of their objection to their employer, listing the specific procedure they will not perform. The bill grants immunity from lawsuits, job penalties, or loss of privileges for providers acting in good faith under this law, but explicitly excludes emergency situations covered by federal law (42 U.S.C. §1395dd). Whistleblower protections prevent retaliation against providers reporting violations, and the law ensures compliance with federal regulations. It takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3066 creates the Health Care Workforce Training Commission and establishes the "Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund" in Oklahoma's state treasury. The fund will collect federal funds (including those from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025), interest, and designated state monies to specifically recruit and retain healthcare workers in rural and underserved Oklahoma communities, requiring a minimum 5-year service commitment. The Commission can use these funds for workforce programs and create necessary rules to implement the program. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects rural healthcare providers and communities facing workforce shortages.
