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.
HB 2769 amends Oklahoma's military code to update the Oklahoma National Guard's structure and personnel rules. It requires the Adjutant General to have at least 8 years of Oklahoma National Guard service (previously 3 years) and sets their pay at Major General level. The bill creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, which provides education funding through a revolving fund for eligible Guard members pursuing career-focused training. It also adjusts nonjudicial punishment procedures, clarifies Adjutant General authority, and modifies eligibility for retirement benefits. The law directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members, leadership, and administrative staff.
HB 2048, the "340B Nondiscrimination Act," prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), and third-party payors from discriminating against healthcare providers participating in the federal 340B drug discount program. It specifically bans lower reimbursement rates for 340B drugs, extra fees or administrative burdens for 340B entities, exclusion from provider networks based on 340B status, and requirements to disclose 340B-specific billing details. The law applies to all 340B entities - such as community health centers and hospitals participating in the federal program - and ensures they receive equal treatment in billing, reimbursement, and network access. Enforcement is handled by the Attorney General, with the Oklahoma Medicaid program excluded from these provisions.
HB 2257 creates the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee coverage for eligible Oklahoma National Guard members attending Oklahoma colleges. It covers up to 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees (max 18 credits per semester) and 40 credit hours for master's programs, including mandatory fees and academic service fees. To qualify, members must maintain a 2.0 GPA, hold a military occupational specialty after their first semester, and agree to serve 24 additional months in the Guard after completing their education. Failure to meet service requirements triggers repayment calculations based on the total assistance amount. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025, and is funded through a revolving fund managed by the Military Department and State Regents for Higher Education.
HB 1414 changes Oklahoma's requirements for county sheriff candidates by adding a four-year full-time peace officer experience prerequisite, or equivalent military police service (verified by a DD214 form). It also mandates that newly elected sheriffs complete an approved sheriff's administrative training program within 12 months of taking office or risk losing their CLEET certification. The bill applies to all candidates filing for office after November 1, 2025, and does not affect current or previous sheriffs. This update aims to standardize qualifications and training for county law enforcement leadership.
SB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within the Oklahoma State Treasury to support veteran memorial statues. The fund, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), uses private donations, gifts, or grants specifically for installing and maintaining these statues around the State Capitol Arch. It became law on May 21, 2025, without the Governor's signature, and operates as a continuing fund not limited by fiscal years.
HB 2136 creates a special revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury to provide supplemental retirement pay to qualifying Oklahoma National Guard members. It directly affects members with 25+ years of service who retired from the National Guard but were ineligible for full federal retirement benefits due to age before the bill's effective date. The fund calculates payments based on what members would have received at full retirement age plus annual cost-of-living adjustments, paid monthly until they begin receiving federal benefits. Payments stop once federal benefits start, and the fund becomes operational on November 1, 2027. The bill does not apply to those retiring with active-duty military pensions.
SB 723 updates Oklahoma law to clarify which positions at the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs are exempt from standard civil service rules. It adds 11 specific healthcare and administrative roles - including physician assistants, pharmacists, occupational therapists, and Veterans Center administrators - to the list of exempt positions. The bill removes outdated references to previous exemption methods and confirms existing exempt positions remain unaffected. This change takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1091 clarifies and updates rules for Oklahoma's Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. It specifically defines key terms like "member" (including fire chiefs meeting eligibility requirements) and "credited service," while allowing volunteer firefighters to purchase military service credit toward their retirement benefits. The bill modifies how military service credit is calculated and adds limitations on its use, and it clarifies contribution rules and death benefits. These changes directly affect active and retired Oklahoma firefighters participating in the system.
HB 1465 updates Oklahoma teacher salary rules to count up to five years of military service (including National Guard) during a national emergency toward salary increments and retirement benefits. This directly affects Oklahoma public school teachers who served in the military, allowing their service to count toward their salary progression and retirement eligibility. The bill caps this credit at five years total, regardless of the service period. It became effective without the Governor's signature on May 7, 2025, and modifies existing salary schedules to reflect this change.
