SB 1832 reauthorizes Oklahoma taxpayers' ability to donate a portion of their state income tax refund to two veterans programs. It extends the option for donations to fund the Indigent Veteran Burial Program (reimbursing up to $500 per veteran, capped at $20,000 annually) and the Veterans Affairs Equipment and Capital Improvement Program (funding equipment purchases and facility projects). The bill updates the covered tax years (2017-2020 and 2026 onward for burial; 1994-2008 and 2026 onward for equipment) and establishes revolving funds administered by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. These funds, held in the state treasury, are dedicated to specific veteran services with clear spending limits, and donations remain optional for taxpayers.
HB 2961 waives tuition and fees for spouses and children of Gold Star veterans (those killed in U.S. military service) at Oklahoma's public higher education institutions and career technology schools. It expands existing tuition waivers - previously limited to children of fallen peace officers, firefighters, and law enforcement retirees - to include Gold Star families who meet residency requirements (Oklahoma resident at death or during enrollment). The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to five years and applies to both the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and career technology districts. This bill modifies Sections 3218.7-1, 14-134, and 14-134.1 of Oklahoma Statutes, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 4275 standardizes certification rules for two mental health roles in Oklahoma: behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists. It requires the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to establish uniform education, exam, supervision, and continuing education standards for these professionals. The bill applies to individuals employed by state/local governments, contracted service providers, tribal facilities, or VA facilities, and restricts certified titles to these specific employment settings. Certification fees are capped at $100, and failure to comply with rules may result in suspension or revocation. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4118 proposes a tax credit for Oklahoma caregivers of eligible family members. It allows a 50% credit on qualifying expenses - such as medical travel mileage, home modifications, medical equipment, and hiring aides - for caregivers with income under $50,000 (or $100,000 for couples) caring for someone aged 62+ who needs help with two or more daily living tasks (like bathing, dressing, or eating). The credit caps at $2,000 annually per family, rising to $3,000 if the care recipient is a veteran or has dementia. The total annual credit pool is limited to $1.5 million, with unused funds adjusted yearly. If passed, it would take effect November 1, 2026.
SB 2026 amends Oklahoma law to allow veterans' grandchildren to access military discharge records (DD 214 forms) held by county clerks. The bill expands existing access rights, which previously permitted only veterans, spouses, children, or legal representatives, to explicitly include grandchildren. County clerks must still keep these records confidential and separate from public files, requiring proper identification or court orders for viewing. The change takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting veterans' grandchildren seeking access to these military service records.
HB 3078 requires Oklahoma state agencies to include a clear option for donating to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund on common government forms and websites. It mandates conspicuous check boxes on forms for driver licenses, vehicle registrations, hunting/fishing licenses, and income tax filings, as well as visible donation prompts on related government websites. The bill directly affects residents interacting with state services during transactions like license renewals or tax payments. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, adding a simple donation mechanism to routine state agency interactions without changing existing tax or fee structures.
HB 3257 requires Oklahoma state benefits for 100% disabled veterans to align with federal qualification standards under 38 U.S.C. § 1151. This means state benefits must meet the same eligibility criteria used by the federal government for fully disabled veterans. The bill directly affects Oklahoma veterans who receive state-level benefits and ensures consistency with federal rules. It takes effect on November 1, 2026, and codifies this requirement in Oklahoma Statutes. The bill does not change benefit amounts or create new benefits - it standardizes existing state practices to match federal qualifications.
HB 4301 requires escrow and title companies to return earnest money to qualified U.S. veterans or active duty military members if a property appraises for less than the contract price. Companies that fail to comply face a $500 civil penalty per violation, with the funds added to the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Revolving Fund. The bill enforces a federal rule (38 C.F.R. § 36.4303(k)) and takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects veterans, active duty military members purchasing property, and the entities handling their escrow payments.
HB 4265 designates specific Oklahoma roads and bridges as memorials honoring military personnel and community figures, such as the "PFC William Tony Brock Memorial Highway" and "Theresa C. Redwine Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers on these designated locations, including bridges over Little Beaver Creek and highways in counties like Latimer and Atoka. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, and does not create new policy or funding. This is a commemorative bill with no direct impact on public services or regulations.
HB 3237 amends Oklahoma's motor vehicle excise tax law to create a new exemption for surviving spouses of veterans who were awarded Gold Star status (indicating the veteran died in military service). This exemption directly affects eligible surviving spouses who own vehicles, removing the requirement to pay the standard excise tax on those vehicles. The bill adds this exemption as a new provision (section 11) to the existing list of tax exemptions in the statute. The key mechanism is eliminating the tax obligation for qualifying vehicles owned by these surviving spouses, with the exemption applying to vehicles registered in Oklahoma. The bill does not change other existing exemptions or tax rates.
