Technology

SB 572 ends Oklahoma's technology business financing program, which previously provided funding to help local businesses commercialize innovations. The bill requires all remaining program funds and annual royalty payments (from businesses that received funding) to be transferred to the state's General Revenue Fund by November 1, 2025. This affects OCAST (the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology), businesses that had received program funding, and state finances. The program officially ceases upon the bill's effective date, redirecting all unused funds to general state revenue.

SB 294 amends Oklahoma's Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund to exclude electric vehicle manufacturing businesses (specifically those using NAICS code 336110) from eligibility for funding. This bill directly affects companies in the electric vehicle manufacturing industry, preventing them from receiving economic development funds intended for high-impact business projects. The change modifies existing eligibility rules under the fund's statutes without altering other provisions for qualifying industries or the fund's administration. The exclusion applies to all applications for the fund, including those seeking rebates under the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program. The bill does not change the fund's purpose, which remains supporting job creation, capital investment, and economic development through targeted business incentives.