Labor & Employment

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1779: Officers; Governmental Tort Claims Amendments Act of 2025; effective date.

HB 1779 amends Oklahoma's Citizens Participation Act to clarify which lawsuits are excluded from its protections. It specifically excludes government enforcement actions (like those by the Attorney General), business disputes over sales/leases, injury claims, insurance cases, and workplace lawsuits involving trade secrets or restrictive agreements (like non-compete clauses). These changes directly affect government entities, businesses, insurance companies, and employees filing certain civil claims. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025, and does not alter the core purpose of the Citizens Participation Act.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes workplace lawsuits involving non-compete clauses, weakening employee protections against restrictive employment agreements90% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 845: Higher education; directing institution of higher education governing boards to ensure certain actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion do not occur. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 845 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring DEI statements for hiring or admissions, or mandating DEI training based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It mandates that governing boards certify compliance with these restrictions before receiving state funds for the 2026 fiscal year and requires annual testimony to legislative committees about compliance. Universities must also adopt disciplinary procedures for employees violating these rules, and the State Auditor must conduct audits to ensure funds aren’t misused. The bill explicitly exempts academic instruction, research, student organizations, and efforts supporting underserved students without racial criteria.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI offices, statements, and training in public universities, restricting diversity initiatives in higher education as defined by the topic.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentBill prohibits DEI hiring/training in universities, restricting inclusive employment standards and anti-discrimination efforts in workplace practices.85% confidence

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 250: Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act; allowing for alternative computation for wage under certain circumstances. Effective date.

This bill modifies Oklahoma's minimum wage calculation by allowing employers to count up to 50% of tips, meals, or lodging toward meeting the state's minimum wage requirement, provided the base cash wage meets federal standards (29 C.F.R. § 531.50(a)(1)). It directly affects tipped workers (like restaurant staff) and their employers when Oklahoma's minimum wage exceeds the federal rate. The key provision updates how wages are computed, ensuring employers cannot reduce cash wages below federal thresholds while crediting qualifying non-cash compensation. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentAllows employers to count tips toward minimum wage, reducing required cash wages for tipped workers and weakening wage protections per Oklahoma's higher minimum wage standard.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1237: Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; death benefit amount; effective date.

HB 1237 increases death benefit payments for families of deceased members in several Oklahoma public retirement systems. For members who died before July 1, 1999, the benefit remains $4,000; for those dying on or after that date, it rises to $5,000 or $10,000. The bill also streamlines probate by allowing direct payments to heirs if they submit required documents (like heirship affidavits and written agreements), bypassing court procedures. This affects families of firefighters, police officers, judges, teachers, and other public employees covered by the specified retirement systems. The changes apply to death benefits paid under the Oklahoma Firefighters, Police, Judges, Teachers', and Public Employees Retirement Systems.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases death benefits for public employee families, expanding worker benefit protections under employment standards.90% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2025

SB 928: Assault and battery; creating misdemeanor and felony offenses. Effective date.

SB 928 creates new misdemeanor and felony charges for assaulting or battering county employees while they are performing their duties. It defines "county employee" broadly to include workers for counties and contracted firms. Simple assault/battery becomes a misdemeanor (up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine), while aggravated attacks become felonies (up to 2 years in prison or $5,000 fine). The bill also requires counties to post clear signage stating that felony charges may apply for such attacks. This law directly affects county employees and aims to strengthen protections for them during work.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new assault offenses against county employees, increasing penalties, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProtects county employees from assault, enhancing workplace safety protections for workers performing duties.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Violent Crime

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1335: Public retirement systems; Oklahoma Pension Legislation Actuarial Analysis Act; definition; term; retirement benefit increase; Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System; Oklahoma Police Pension and Retirement System; Uniform Retirement System for Justices and Judges; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; Teachers' Retirement System of Oklahoma; Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; limitation; funded ratio; conditions; offset; amount; codification; effective dates.

HB 1335 sets conditions for retirement benefit increases for retirees in seven Oklahoma public pension systems (including Firefighters, Police, Judges, Law Enforcement, Teachers, and Public Employees). It requires a 4% benefit increase for eligible retirees if the retirement system's funded ratio (assets relative to liabilities) remains at least 80% after the increase; otherwise, a 2% increase applies. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies to retirees not receiving benefits under specific prior provisions. It does not create new benefits but ties increases to the financial health of each retirement fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill ties pension benefit increases to system funded ratios (80%+), promoting fiscal responsibility by preventing overpayment when systems are underfunded, directly managing state retirement spending.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases retirement benefits for public employees (firefighters, police, teachers) via 4% or 2% raises based on funded ratio, expanding post-employment worker benefits.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Retirement Benefits

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 6, 2025

SB 14: Vaccinations and immunizations; requiring a certification of disclosure exemption be provided. Emergency.

SB 14 requires Oklahoma employers (both public and private) to provide employees and contractors with a "certification of disclosure exemption" form if they refuse to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status. Employers must accept the completed form within 30 days, cannot retaliate against employees who use it (e.g., through discipline, pay cuts, or denial of benefits), and cannot require them to wear visible markers of their exemption. The bill also mandates that employers offer reasonable accommodations like mask-wearing or weekly testing (at employer cost) instead of requiring vaccination disclosure. It explicitly prohibits employers from disclosing exemption status, offering rewards for disclosure, or segregating employees based on vaccination status.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employer retaliation against employees refusing vaccination disclosure, protecting worker rights regarding health information and workplace autonomy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2245: Railroads; requiring certain railroad operators have two crew members if certain condition occurs; making certain exceptions; effective date.

HB 2245 requires most non-short-line railroad operators in Oklahoma to maintain at least two crew members in the front train car's cab when they adopt a one-person crew policy, effective November 1, 2025. The law excludes short-line railroads and allows exceptions during switching, brake testing, safety inspections, or setouts. It directly affects railroad companies operating within Oklahoma that implement single-crew policies for mainline trains. The bill mandates this change without specifying safety outcomes, focusing solely on operational crew requirements.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates two crew members for safety during mainline operations, reducing single-crew risks and aligning with workplace safety protections in rail transportation.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates two crew members for railroad safety, enhancing transportation safety standards in vehicle operations per bill's explicit safety requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 86: Railroads; requiring certain railroad trains to have two crew members aboard. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 86 requires all freight railroad trains operating in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (such as engineers or conductors) aboard while moving. It exempts passenger trains, tourism rides, slow-moving trains under 30 mph with cabs, helper/hostler services, and loading/unloading at 10 mph. Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeat violations within three years. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency to address safety concerns. It directly affects freight railroad operators in Oklahoma, not passenger rail services or specific maintenance operations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates two certified crew members on freight trains to enhance workplace safety, directly aligning with labor protections against unsafe working conditions.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires two certified crew members on freight trains for safety, enhancing operational safety standards in transportation infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Freight Rail

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 767: Hiring practices; creating the Fair Chance Hiring Practices by Public Employers Act; prohibiting certain employment practices. Effective date.

SB 767, the "Fair Chance Hiring Practices by Public Employers Act," prohibits Oklahoma state and local government employers (like schools, agencies, and municipalities) from asking about an applicant’s criminal history before making a conditional job offer. It allows employers to ask only about convictions that would disqualify someone under existing law and permits checking criminal history after a conditional offer is made. The law excludes sensitive roles - such as law enforcement, school staff, correctional officers, and positions involving vulnerable populations - from its requirements. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, applying only to job applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits pre-offer criminal history inquiries for public jobs, advancing reintegration and reducing recidivism barriers. Excludes sensitive roles like law enforcement.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits pre-offer criminal history inquiries, reducing employment barriers for applicants with records and aligning with worker rights protection in hiring practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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