Technology (Broadband Access)

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 909: Telecommunications; creating the Secure Telecommunications Act of 2025. Effective date. Emergency.

This bill, known as the Secure Telecommunications Act of 2025, requires telecommunications providers operating in Oklahoma to remove and replace certain network equipment that is banned at the federal level or manufactured by companies from countries designated as foreign adversaries. The law defines critical telecommunications infrastructure as any broadband system that connects users to public networks and prohibits the use of equipment from federally banned corporations or foreign adversaries. To enforce these requirements, the bill mandates that providers register with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission by September 1, 2025, and pay an annual fee of up to $50 while submitting contact information and yearly certifications confirming compliance with equipment restrictions. Non-compliance with registration or equipment removal requirements could result in administrative fines ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per day, and the bill includes provisions to streamline permit processes when replacing prohibited equipment.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity by requiring removal of equipment from foreign adversaries and federally banned companies, protecting critical telecommunications infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2881: Revenue and taxation; deduction; broadband equipment; federal funds; effective date.

HB 2881 creates a tax deduction for Oklahoma businesses receiving specific federal broadband funding. It allows businesses to deduct funds distributed by the Oklahoma Broadband Office under federal programs like the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act's BEAD Program, provided the money is spent on broadband equipment or services. This deduction applies to taxable income for years starting January 1, 2025, and is distributed to pass-through business owners. The bill directly affects Oklahoma broadband providers and service entities using federal recovery funds for infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax deduction for broadband business investments, reducing taxable income. Aligns with tax relief for business growth under federal broadband programs.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill creates tax deduction for broadband equipment spending, directly advancing internet access infrastructure through financial incentives for businesses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access

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vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 687: Sales tax exemption; requiring Oklahoma Broadband Office and Oklahoma Tax Commission to administer certain rebate program; modifying rebate limit; creating the Oklahoma Broadband Rebate Revolving Fund.

SB 687 creates a rebate program for businesses purchasing equipment to expand broadband services in underserved or unserved areas of Oklahoma. It directs the Oklahoma Broadband Office and Tax Commission to administer the program, requiring equipment to directly enable broadband expansion (not operational costs) and limiting rebates to $42 million total - $31.5 million reserved for low-population-density counties. The Oklahoma Broadband Rebate Revolving Fund will pay approved claims, with payments calculated based on total eligible claims versus available funds. Providers must file claims by specified deadlines, and annual reports will track broadband project impacts without disclosing individual company names.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $42M broadband rebate fund via revolving fund, allocating state budget to fund infrastructure expansion in underserved areas, aligning with 'funds essential programs' indicator.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds broadband infrastructure expansion via rebates for equipment, directly advancing internet access in underserved areas - core technology policy objective.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Sales Tax Tax Incentives Broadband Access

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1286: Schools; length of the school year; virtual school day policy; virtual instruction requirements; definitions; notification requirements; requiring compliance; in-person instruction for noncompliance; appeals; policy for students without internet; auditing; effective date; emergency.

HB 1286 sets minimum requirements for Oklahoma public school instruction time, mandating at least 180 days or 1,080 hours annually. It specifically allows school districts to use up to 10 virtual days per year for limited reasons like inclement weather, staff shortages, or building maintenance - requiring districts to notify the State Board of Education by October 15. If virtual days exceed the limit, schools must switch to in-person instruction, and districts must maintain policies for students without internet access. The bill also requires annual audits of compliance and reports on student achievement impacts for districts using flexible scheduling options.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum in-person instruction time (180 days/1,080 hours) and ensures access for students without internet, strengthening educational continuity and equity.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts virtual instruction to 10 days/year, requiring in-person when exceeded, limiting technology's role in education despite addressing internet access for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2025

HB 1124: Broadband; modifying make-up of fund; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirects federal funds to broadband projects without new appropriations, advancing internet access infrastructure as specified in bill's summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2447: Revenue and taxation; broadband communications; income tax credit; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates 25% business income tax credit for broadband infrastructure investment, reducing taxable income and incentivizing private sector broadband expansion through fiscal policy.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates 25% tax credit for broadband infrastructure investment, directly expanding high-speed internet access through business incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Credits Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 21, 2026

HB 2293: Oklahoma Broadband Office; extending termination of Board, Office and Council; duties; authority; effective date.

HB 2293 extends the Oklahoma Broadband Office's operations until December 31, 2030 (previously ending June 30, 2028) and reorganizes it as a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill also extends the Broadband Governing Board and Broadband Expansion Council until 2030, maintaining their roles in overseeing statewide broadband grant programs, the Statewide Broadband Plan, and rural connectivity initiatives. These entities will continue managing federal and state funds for broadband expansion while operating under open-government laws. The changes ensure continuity for existing broadband infrastructure projects and grant programs without altering their core functions.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill extends broadband office and programs, maintaining rural connectivity initiatives and expanding internet access through continued funding and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1123: Broadband; modifying certain funding source; deleting State Broadband Grant Program Revolving Fund; effective date.

HB 1123 deletes Oklahoma's State Broadband Grant Program Revolving Fund, which previously provided dedicated funding for broadband expansion grants. The bill eliminates this special fund in the state treasury, redirecting how grant programs are financed. This change directly affects the Oklahoma Broadband Office and future grant recipients by removing a specific funding source for expanding high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved areas. The bill also modifies the Broadband Governing Board's structure but focuses primarily on ending the revolving fund mechanism. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesDeletes dedicated State Broadband Grant Program Revolving Fund, eliminating specific budget allocation for broadband expansion, defunding the program's financing mechanism.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyDeletes dedicated broadband funding source, removing key financial mechanism for expanding internet access in underserved areas, directly weakening broadband expansion efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Broadband Access

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 1122: Ad valorem tax; requiring the State Board of Equalization to assess certain broadband property.at certain radio Effective date.

SB 1122 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Equalization to assess property used for **wired broadband service** (offering internet over 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload) at a **15% tax rate** for tax years 2026-2036. It applies only to infrastructure in areas with **less than 10% broadband coverage** (per FCC maps) and exclusively to property used for broadband, excluding other services like video streaming. The bill amends tax code to define "broadband service providers" and mandates this specific assessment ratio for qualifying assets, including fiber, cables, and network infrastructure. This policy directly affects **wired broadband providers** expanding service in underserved rural or low-coverage regions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 15% tax on broadband infrastructure in low-coverage areas, increasing state revenue for fiscal management per tax code amendment.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyImposes 15% tax on broadband infrastructure in low-coverage areas (under 10% FCC coverage), increasing costs for providers and likely hindering expansion of internet access in underserved regions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Broadband Access