Veterans

signed · Oklahoma · House May 12, 2026

HB 1185: Firearms; prohibiting the destruction of historic military weapons; effective date.

HB 1185 prevents sheriff's offices and campus police agencies in Oklahoma from destroying firearms deemed to have historic military value. Instead, these agencies must donate such weapons to veterans' organizations recognized by Congress (like the American Legion or VFW) rather than disposing of them through sale, destruction, or waste. The bill modifies Oklahoma's property disposal law (22 O.S. §1325) to require agencies to evaluate seized weapons for historical significance before disposal. This directly affects law enforcement agencies handling unclaimed firearms and ensures historically significant military weapons are preserved for veterans' groups.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill mandates donation of historic military weapons to Congress-recognized veterans' organizations (e.g., American Legion, VFW), directly benefiting veterans' groups through asset preservation.95% confidence

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 23, 2026

SB 1355: Veterans; requiring the Military Department to create certain program providing headstone or marker; providing certain burial grant; providing eligibility requirements. Effective date.

SB 1355 requires Oklahoma's Department of Veterans Affairs to create a program providing headstones or markers for eligible Oklahoma National Guard veterans who died in-state with an honorable discharge. Veterans meeting specific criteria (6+ years service, in-state residency, honorable separation, and not covered by federal law) can receive either a standard headstone/marker or a $200 reimbursement. The program is funded through a new "National Guard Veteran Burial Revolving Fund" in the state treasury, which can use legislative appropriations and donations to cover costs. This law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new state revolving fund to finance veterans' burial program, directly allocating budget resources for a public service.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates state-funded program for headstones/markers and burial grants for eligible veterans, expanding burial benefits through new revolving fund.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 5, 2025

SB 303: Ad valorem tax; claims for property tax relief; authorizing claim for certain disabled service members and first responders. Effective date.

SB 303 expands Oklahoma's property tax relief program to include disabled veterans and certain first responders. It allows honorably discharged veterans with a 75% service-connected disability, plus police, firefighters, or law enforcement officers receiving disability retirement for line-of-duty injuries, to claim tax relief on their primary residence. The bill modifies income limits and caps annual relief at $1,000 (up from $200), applying to households meeting income thresholds set by HUD. This change takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects eligible disabled service members and their surviving spouses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax relief for disabled veterans and first responders, increasing annual cap to $1,000, targeting lower/middle income households per HUD thresholds.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax relief to disabled veterans (75% service-connected) and increases annual cap from $200 to $1,000, directly advancing veterans' benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Veteran Benefits Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 530: Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; authorizing establishment of the ODVA Foundation; allowing Foundation to receive contributions; directing incorporation of Foundation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 530 authorizes the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to create the ODVA Foundation, a private nonprofit organization designed to raise private funds for veterans' programs. The foundation will collect donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to support educational, training, and empowerment initiatives for Oklahoma veterans, reservists, and their families - supplementing, not replacing, state funding for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. Key provisions include requiring the foundation to operate charitably, secure tax-exempt status, maintain auditable financial records (excluding donor names), and prohibit ODVA employees from voting on its board. This bill establishes a structured mechanism for private fundraising to enhance veteran services without altering existing state budget allocations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates ODVA Foundation to raise private funds for veterans' educational/training programs, supplementing state funding without replacement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 517: Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; authorizing establishment of the ODVA Foundation. Effective date. Emergency

SB 517 authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to establish a private, tax-exempt foundation called the ODVA Foundation. The foundation will raise supplemental funds from private and public sources to support veterans' education, training, and empowerment programs, alongside existing state funding. It must operate as a separate entity with no state employees as voting members, and all financial records (except donor names) must be auditable. This bill directly affects Oklahoma veterans, reservists, and their dependents by creating a new channel for private funding to address their needs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes ODVA to establish foundation raising supplemental funds for veterans' education, training, and empowerment programs, directly expanding support beyond existing state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Education

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2257: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition/fee coverage for National Guard members at Oklahoma colleges, directly funding higher education access and expanding educational opportunities for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates educational assistance for Oklahoma National Guard members (a key veteran support benefit), covering tuition/fees for up to 120 credits, directly advancing veterans' educational opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 7, 2025

HB 1465: Schools; teacher pay computations; military service; teacher salaries; effective date; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUpdates teacher pay rules to count military service toward salary increments and retirement benefits, directly supporting educators' compensation and benefits.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill enhances teacher compensation and retirement benefits by counting military service toward salary increments, directly advancing employment benefits for educators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill counts military service toward teacher salary increments/retirement, recognizing veteran service for career advancement in education sector.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers National Guard & Reserve

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 1356: State government; transferring certain duties from Office of Management and Enterprise Services to certain departments; modifying duties of Fleet Management Division. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1356 transfers several state government functions from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to other agencies. It moves the Civil Service Division to the Department of Labor, transfers the Office of Veterans Placement to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, and reorganizes fleet management by renaming the Fleet Management Division to Fleet Oversight Division. The bill also returns funds from the State Fleet Management Fund to state agencies and modifies reporting requirements for vehicle acquisitions and disposals. These changes directly affect state agencies managing personnel, veterans services, and vehicle fleets.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransTransfers Office of Veterans Placement to Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs, improving service coordination for veterans' employment needs.95% confidence

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died · Oklahoma · Senate May 30, 2025

SB 32: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 32 modifies Oklahoma's National Guard Educational Assistance Program to cover required fees like course-specific charges alongside tuition. It sets caps: 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees and 40 for master's programs, while requiring joint review of fees by state education leaders and the military. Eligible Guard members must maintain academic standing, a 2.0 GPA, and commit to 24 months of active service after graduation. The bill also allows the military to deny assistance for failing to meet academic or service requirements, with repayment rules for noncompliance.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands National Guard educational benefits to cover required fees, ensuring broader access to tuition assistance for veterans95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HJR 1009: Oklahoma Constitution; ad valorem; homestead exemption; disabled veterans; ballot title; filing.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Oklahoma's homestead tax exemption for disabled veterans. It would allow veterans with disability ratings from 10% to 100% (previously limited to 100%) to qualify for a tiered tax exemption on their home's value: 25% for 10-29% disability, 50% for 30-49%, 75% for 50-69%, and 100% for 70-100%. Surviving spouses of qualifying veterans would also be eligible. To qualify, veterans must prove Oklahoma residency, have a VA-certified disability, and meet existing homestead exemption requirements. The amendment would take effect January 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemption for disabled veterans, reducing their tax burden - direct tax relief aligning with support indicators for lower-income groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands homestead tax exemption eligibility for disabled veterans from 100% to 10% disability rating with tiered exemptions, directly strengthening veterans' financial benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Benefits

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