Labor & Employment (Public Employees)

SB 724, the "Expanding Public Sector Career Opportunities Act," prohibits Oklahoma public employers (state, county, and municipal agencies) from rejecting job applicants solely for lacking a postsecondary degree. Instead, employers must set baseline requirements focused on direct work experience or specific certifications, allowing up to 9 years of experience to substitute for a doctoral degree. The bill requires employers to justify degree requirements in job postings and provides applicants a written notice and appeal process to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services if rejected for lacking a degree. It aims to broaden hiring opportunities by reducing unnecessary educational barriers while maintaining role-specific skill requirements. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

SB 90 provides a 5% benefit increase for retirees in several Oklahoma public employee retirement systems, including firefighters, police officers, judges, law enforcement, teachers, and general public employees. This applies to those receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025, and continuing to receive them after the bill's effective date (July 1, 2026). The bill includes offset provisions for certain pre-1981 retirees: their increases may be partially reduced based on changes to firefighter or police officer base salaries. The policy directly affects current retirees in these specific systems without altering the core benefit structure for most recipients.

HB 1729 codifies rules for Oklahoma retirees working for state or local government after retirement. It prohibits retirement benefits for months when retirees earn above Social Security’s annual wage limit from government positions (with exceptions for jury duty, witness testimony, or similar roles). Employers must notify the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) when retirees return to work, and retirees have specific options for recalculating benefits upon reemployment. The bill also prohibits rehiring retirees by their former employers for one year after retirement.

HB 1138 creates a State Employee Dispute Resolution Program for Oklahoma state employees, requiring the Human Capital Management and Civil Service Divisions to handle complaints about disciplinary actions like terminations, suspensions, or written reprimands. It mandates mediation for most disputes before hearings, establishes an Office of Veterans Placement, and creates a confidential whistleblower program for reporting mismanagement or fraud involving state funds. The bill sets strict timelines (10 days to file complaints, 30 days for hearings) and requires quarterly reports on case volumes to state leadership. It directly affects most state employees but excludes elected officials, judges, certain political appointees, and employees in specific categories like temporary or seasonal roles. The law also shifts all state employee positions to be administered by the Human Capital Management Division without prior classified/unclassified distinctions.