Veterans (Memorials & Recognition)

passed · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SR 34: Resolution; recognizing Harvey Pratt's exemplary life of service.

This Senate Resolution honors Harvey Pratt, a retired Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation agent who served for 45 years and was a Cheyenne Peace Chief and Marine Corps veteran. The bill formally recognizes his contributions to law enforcement, particularly his work as a forensic artist who revolutionized crime scene reconstruction, and celebrates his creation of the National Native American Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The resolution directs copies to be distributed to the OSBI and Pratt's family as a gesture of appreciation for his legacy.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors Harvey Pratt, a Marine Corps veteran, recognizing his service and contributions, including creation of National Native American Veterans Memorial.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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passed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SR 33: Resolution; recognizing the life and legacy of Oscar J. Upham; celebrating the naming of the Guthrie post office in his honor; remembering his decades of service.

This resolution honors Oscar J. Upham, a historical figure from Guthrie, Oklahoma, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Spanish-American War and the Boxer Rebellion, and later worked as a postal employee for 36 years. The measure formally recognizes his life and legacy, specifically celebrating the naming of the Guthrie post office in his honor following a 2025 federal designation. It directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to Upham's family as a gesture of appreciation for this commemorative action. The document serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill honors a veteran's legacy and service, formally recognizing his contributions to the Marine Corps and postal service, which supports veteran recognition and remembrance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 5, 2026

HB 3078: Veterans; executive department; forms; donations; Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates donation prompts on state forms to fund Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund, directly advancing veteran services through increased funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SJR 36: Constitutional amendment; providing ad valorem exemption for veterans and unremarried surviving spouses.

This constitutional amendment (SJR 36) would create a phased property tax exemption for honorably discharged veterans and unremarried surviving spouses in Oklahoma. It provides increasing tax relief on household personal property and homesteads over four years: 25% in 2027, 50% in 2028, 75% in 2029, and full exemption by 2030. Eligibility requires Oklahoma residency and certification of honorable discharge (or surviving spouse status), expanding current exemptions beyond only disabled veterans. The amendment must be approved by voters as a constitutional change, not enacted by the legislature directly.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides phased property tax exemption for veterans and surviving spouses, reducing tax burden - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators for middle/lower income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax exemption on homesteads reduces housing costs for veterans, advancing affordability through property tax relief on primary residences.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption for veterans and surviving spouses, increasing relief annually to full exemption by 2030, broadening eligibility beyond current disabled veteran-only exemptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1832: Income tax; reauthorizing certain income tax refund donations. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects tax refunds to fund veterans programs, using state tax revenue for specific public services without increasing tax rates.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReauthorizes tax refund donations to fund two veterans programs: burial reimbursements and equipment/facility improvements for veterans.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1791: State government; creating the Active and Retired Military Outdoor Recreation Days (ARMOR) Act. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1791 creates the ARMOR Act, which designates specific days at Oklahoma state parks and lands for exclusive use by veterans and active-duty military personnel. The bill requires the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission and Military Department to identify accessible parks with necessary facilities (including disability accommodations) and then collaborate to set aside designated days for activities like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. On these days, joint events with veteran organizations will be held, and feedback from participants will be used to improve future programs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, directly benefiting military veterans and active-duty service members through expanded recreational access.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates state park days exclusively for veterans with disability accommodations, advancing recreational access and recognition95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 11, 2026

HJR 1074: Constitution; Oklahoma Veterans Lottery Trust Fund; funding; Oklahoma Veterans Trust Fund Board of Governors; membership; appropriation; ballot title; filing.

HJR 1074 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the Oklahoma Veterans Lottery Trust Fund, funded by the Oklahoma Veterans Lottery game. The fund would provide grants exclusively for four specific purposes: youth education programs by veteran service organizations, emergency assistance for individual veterans or their families, indigent funerals, and veteran outreach programs with over 50% veteran attendance. A Board of Governors, appointed by major veteran service organizations and the Oklahoma Veterans Council, would manage the fund. The amendment prohibits using these funds to replace existing state funding for veterans, military, or their families, and requires annual reviews by the State Board of Equalization to ensure funds enhance - not supplant - other veteran support programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated lottery-funded trust for veteran programs, allocating state tax revenue to essential services like education and emergency aid.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates Oklahoma Veterans Lottery Trust Fund exclusively for veteran programs: youth education, emergency aid, indigent funerals, and veteran outreach - directly funds services per bill's four specified purposes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4265: Memorial roads and bridges; designating various road and bridge memorials; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates roads/bridges as memorials for military personnel (e.g., PFC William Tony Brock), directly honoring veterans through recognition, a key support indicator.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 19, 2026

SB 1956: Memorial highways; designating the CPT David Ward Neely Memorial Highway. Effective date.

SB 1956 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 169 (from Double Creek Bridge south to the Nowata-Rogers County line) as the "CPT David Ward Neely Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install markers bearing this name along the designated route. It takes effect on November 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation honoring CPT David Ward Neely, with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransHonors veteran service via highway memorial, aligning with recognition indicator for support85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1533: Veteran burial; requiring certain veteran to have been a resident of this state. Effective date.

SB 1533 amends Oklahoma's veteran burial assistance laws to require that veterans receiving burial aid must have been residents of Oklahoma at the time of death. This change applies to both the Indigent Veteran Burial Program (Section 34) and the Dignity in Burial Act (Section 36), adding a new eligibility criterion that was not previously required. The bill does not alter the $1,000 reimbursement limit or other existing requirements, such as honorable discharge, death in Oklahoma, or documentation of burial details. It directly affects veterans who died in Oklahoma but did not meet the residency requirement, excluding them from state burial assistance programs. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ VeteransOpposes VeteransAdds residency requirement, restricting burial benefit eligibility to Oklahoma residents at time of death, limiting access to existing aid.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Benefits Veteran Education