HB 1923 creates a new state tax credit for businesses conducting qualified research and development (R&D) activities in Oklahoma. It directly affects Oklahoma-based companies that invest in R&D, allowing them to claim a credit against their state income tax for eligible expenses. The credit applies to qualifying R&D costs incurred after the bill's effective date of November 1, 2025. This policy change aims to incentivize in-state innovation by reducing the tax burden on R&D spending.
Oklahoma Senate Bill 224 creates the Oklahoma Education and Workforce Efficiency Data System (EDS), a secure platform for state agencies to share de-identified student and workforce data across education and employment systems. It directly affects state agencies like the Oklahoma Department of Education, Workforce Commission, and higher education bodies by enabling data integration for improving educational outcomes and taxpayer return on investment. Key provisions include requiring strict privacy compliance (under FERPA and similar laws), prohibiting collection of sensitive data (religion, medical information), and establishing a Governance Council to oversee data access and vendor selection. The system aims to support evidence-based decisions while ensuring data privacy through formal agreements and anonymization for approved users like researchers.
HB 1304 requires Oklahoma public high schools to offer a dedicated one-year computer science curriculum as part of graduation requirements for students in grades 8-12. It mandates that schools include computer science courses (covering programming, hardware, and business applications) as an approved option to fulfill the "two units of world language or computer technology" requirement for graduation. The bill specifies these courses must be approved for college admission and exclude basic keyboarding or typing courses. This directly affects all Oklahoma public high school students meeting graduation standards under the 2024-2025 school year curriculum rules. The policy change updates existing graduation requirements to explicitly include computer science as a valid pathway.
SB 505 protects Oklahomans' rights to use 3D printing technology by prohibiting state and local governments from banning 3D printers, laser cutters, or additive manufacturing devices - including their software, equipment, and materials. The law explicitly states that individuals may use these tools without state or local restrictions, ensuring their rights are safeguarded under Oklahoma law. It applies directly to all residents and users of such technology across the state. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2025.
HB 1346 changes Oklahoma law by replacing the term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material" in all relevant statutes. It requires commercial entities (like websites or platforms) to implement "reasonable age verification methods" to prevent minors from accessing harmful online content, and holds these entities liable for civil damages if they knowingly publish or distribute such material. The bill directly affects online platforms and commercial entities hosting content, adding new civil liability standards without creating new criminal penalties. Key provisions define terms like "age verification methods" and "harmful to minors" to clarify enforcement.
HB 1124 modifies Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund to specify that funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (specifically sections for coronavirus capital projects and state/local recovery funds) will be directed to this fund, excluding money designated for local governments. It clarifies that all interest earned on these deposits will also be added to the fund. The bill ensures these funds are available for broadband-related projects without requiring new appropriations. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and became law without the governor's signature on May 12, 2025.
HB 1203, the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act, would allow Oklahoma's State Treasurer to invest up to 10% of specific state funds (General Fund, Revenue Stabilization Fund, and Constitutional Reserve Fund) in Bitcoin or digital assets with a $500 billion+ market cap, plus approved stablecoins. The bill requires all digital assets to be held through secure custody solutions meeting strict security standards, including multi-party governance and encrypted storage in geographically diverse facilities. It also mandates that taxes paid in Bitcoin be converted to U.S. currency and transferred to the State General Fund, and permits state retirement funds to hold digital assets under similar secure custody rules. The act applies directly to state treasury operations, retirement funds, and tax collection processes. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed in committee in April 2025.
HB 2447 creates a 25% income tax credit for businesses that invest in qualified broadband telecommunications infrastructure in Oklahoma, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. The credit covers the cost of equipment, facilities, and technology used to provide high-speed internet service, with the credit limited to reducing tax liability to zero and allowing unused portions to be carried forward for up to five years. This policy directly affects businesses building or upgrading broadband networks, particularly in rural areas as defined by the Rural Broadband Expansion Council. The bill aims to incentivize broadband expansion by reducing costs for infrastructure investment. It becomes effective January 1, 2026.
HB 1626 regulates how Oklahoma law enforcement agencies use automatic license plate reader (ALPR) systems on highways. It requires agencies to obtain permits from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation before installation, adopt public policies covering data security, retention (deleting data after 30 days unless part of an active investigation), and prohibiting data sales, and limits use to official law enforcement purposes only. The bill explicitly prohibits using ALPRs to issue traffic citations or create hot lists without documented law enforcement justification. It applies to all state and local law enforcement agencies using these systems and takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 815 requires courts to automatically seal all records in eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer proceedings) under specific conditions. If a case is dismissed or the defendant wins, records must be sealed immediately; if the plaintiff wins, records must be sealed two years after the judgment. Sealed records cannot appear in public databases, be sold, or shared with third parties, and are only accessible to the person involved, their attorney, or the court. This applies to all case documents, including complaints, pleadings, and court orders, ensuring privacy for individuals involved in these housing-related legal matters.
