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.
HB 3693 would add disabled veterans to Oklahoma's list of individuals eligible for sales tax exemptions on qualifying purchases. The bill amends Section 1357 of the Oklahoma Sales Tax Code to explicitly include disabled veterans as a qualifying group, removing sales tax from certain goods they buy. This change directly affects disabled veterans by reducing their out-of-pocket costs for eligible items. The key mechanism is updating the existing exemption list in state tax law to include this new category.
HB 3963 amends Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to expand eligibility for tuition assistance. It adds children of veterans with a 100% permanent disability from military service (certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs) to the list of qualifying groups, alongside existing categories like children of certified classroom teachers. The bill changes the definition of "certified classroom teacher school employee" to "school employee" in the eligibility rules. This policy change directly affects qualifying veterans' children seeking in-state tuition assistance at Oklahoma colleges and universities.
HB 4278 requires Oklahoma counties to use a new form for disabled veterans and surviving spouses who purchase new homes, ensuring they receive property tax exemptions they previously qualified for. The form must confirm prior exemption status on their old home, and county assessors must update property records to reflect the new exemption after a sale. Counties must also send missing tax bills to owners who didn’t receive them due to delays in updating eligibility. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, streamlining the process for qualifying veterans and spouses to maintain their tax relief.
HJR 1071 proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Oklahoma's property tax exemption for veterans. It would create partial tax exemptions for veterans with service-connected disabilities rated 10% to 99% (not fully disabled), based on their disability percentage: $5,000 exemption for 10-29% ratings, $7,500 for 30-49%, $10,000 for 50-69%, and $12,000 for 70-99%. This directly affects qualifying veterans (and surviving spouses) who own homestead properties in Oklahoma and have previously met homestead exemption requirements. The exemption applies to the assessed value of their primary residence, with eligibility requiring Oklahoma residency and proof of disability certification. The amendment requires voter approval via a statewide referendum.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
