Veterans

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2101: State holidays; June 12; Oklahoma Women Veterans History Day; emergency.

HB 2101 designates June 12 of each year as "Oklahoma Women Veterans History Day" in the state of Oklahoma. The bill requests all citizens to observe this day by honoring women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. It codifies this designation in Oklahoma Statutes (Title 25, Section 90.30) and declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon approval. The measure is purely symbolic, with no new funding or policy changes, and directly affects all Oklahoma residents through this annual observance.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransDesignates Oklahoma Women Veterans History Day to honor service, aligning with recognition as a support indicator per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1186: Wildlife; creating the Oklahoma Habitat Stamp; nonresidents; stamp exceptions; purchase amount; limitations on uses for monies received from purchase; effective date.

HB 1186 requires nonresidents who hunt or fish in Oklahoma Wildlife Management Areas to purchase an $85 "Oklahoma Habitat Stamp," with exceptions for active-duty military personnel and veterans. The fee funds a dedicated "Oklahoma Habitat Stamp Revolving Fund," which must be used exclusively for maintaining and improving these wildlife areas. Violations (hunting without the stamp) incur fines of $25-$100, and a temporary $145 stamp is available for those arrested without one. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, creating a permanent funding mechanism for habitat conservation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $85 nonresident fee exclusively funding wildlife management via dedicated revolving fund, advancing public service funding through new revenue allocation.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentDedicated fund for wildlife area maintenance directly supports conservation efforts per bill language, allocating fees exclusively for habitat improvement.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans from $85 hunting/fishing fee, granting direct benefit and recognition of service as a specific exception in the bill.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Wildlife

Track

died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1336: Education; creating the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act; providing certain waivers; providing for calculation of waiver amounts. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1336 creates the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act, providing tuition waivers for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or higher. It covers 50% to 100% of undergraduate tuition/fees at public universities or 50% to 100% of tuition at technology centers, based on disability rating (e.g., 60% disability = 50% waiver; 100% disability = 100% waiver). Veterans must first use all available federal education benefits, and waivers apply only to required courses (max 150 credits) or career programs (max 3 years), excluding textbooks or housing. The state must annually fund these waivers through legislative appropriations, subject to budget availability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded tuition waivers for veterans, increasing government spending on education access per budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for veterans with disabilities, expanding higher education access via financial support for public universities/technology centers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition waivers (50-100%) for veterans with ≥60% service-connected disability, expanding education benefits after federal benefits are exhausted.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 21, 2025

HB 1414: Counties and county officers; qualifications for county sheriff; military police service; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires four years' peace officer experience/military service and mandatory training for sheriffs, enhancing law enforcement standards and accountability per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExplicitly accepts military police service (verified by DD214) as equivalent sheriff qualification, supporting veteran employment in law enforcement roles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 814: Absentee ballots; authorizing uniformed service member to receive certain absentee ballot. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 814 expands access to emergency absentee ballots for military service members deployed during active duty. It allows these voters to request ballots after the standard deadline by submitting a written request with valid ID to their county election office. Ballots must be returned in person or by mail by 7:00 p.m. on election day, following the same processing rules as other emergency absentee ballots. Signed into law on May 5, 2025, this amendment to Oklahoma’s election code (26 O.S. § 14-115.6) specifically adds uniformed-service members to the existing eligibility category that previously covered first responders during emergencies.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands voting access for deployed military personnel, recognizing service and ensuring electoral participation per bill's explicit focus on uniformed service members' ballot rights.95% confidence

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1243: Career and technology education; creating the National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act; tuition assistance; repayment amount; hardship waiver; creating fund; effective date; emergency.

HB 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates dedicated state fund for tuition assistance, directly allocating budget resources to fund National Guard education programs without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tuition assistance fund for National Guard members in career tech programs, expanding educational access and funding for vocational training.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members in technology certification programs, funding workforce development in technology fields.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition assistance for National Guard members' career training, directly supporting veterans' education and employment benefits through state-funded program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SJR 10: Constitutional amendment; expanding veteran ad valorem tax exemption.

This constitutional amendment (SJR 10) proposes expanding Oklahoma's property tax exemptions for veterans. It would allow all honorably discharged veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses - regardless of disability status - to claim full exemptions on both household personal property and homesteads (primary residences) from ad valorem taxes. The bill removes the current requirement that veterans must have a 100% disability certification to qualify. To qualify, applicants must prove Oklahoma residency and meet existing homestead exemption criteria. If approved by voters, this change would apply to tax years beginning in 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for veterans, removing disability requirement to provide broader tax relief, aligning with support indicators.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands property tax exemption for all honorably discharged veterans and surviving spouses by removing disability requirement, increasing access to financial benefit.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Veteran Education

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1366: Dentists and dental hygienists; purpose; terms; Commission membership; duties; Compact Member States; powers and duties; Compact Commission; Compact license privilege; practice state; jurisdiction; fees; military waiver; joint investigations; disciplinary actions; nonmember states; oversight; enforcement; dispute resolution; withdrawal; dissolution; severability; binding; rules of order; effective date.

HB 1366 enacts Oklahoma's participation in the American Association of Dental Boards (AADB) Compact, allowing dentists and dental hygienists to more easily practice across participating states. The bill establishes a uniform licensing process requiring a standardized exam, shares disciplinary records through the AADB Clearinghouse, and eliminates duplicate fees for licensees. It specifically waives application fees for active-duty military members and their spouses, expediting their ability to practice when relocating. This compact affects dental professionals seeking multi-state licensure and streamlines processes for military families.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly waives application fees for active-duty military members and spouses, facilitating dental licensing access - direct benefit to veterans' professional transition.90% confidence

Track

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 2832: Transportation; dedication; procedures; veterans; effective date.

HB 2832 allows Oklahoma state highways, bridges, and facilities to be dedicated in honor of individuals who provided outstanding service to the nation, state, or community - particularly military veterans and active-duty personnel. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and maintain a public digital map showing all such dedications, including specific details about the honorees, locations, and reasons for naming, with a dedicated "Veterans Military Trail Segment" for military honors. The map will eventually include interactive features to share historical context, and ODOT must link it to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism for public promotion. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly dedicates state infrastructure to honor veterans, requiring public recognition of their service via digital map and 'Veterans Military Trail Segment'.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 288: Income tax; providing credit for certain Oklahoma National Guard members that purchase a home. Effective date.

SB 288 creates a state income tax credit for Oklahoma National Guard members who buy a home in Oklahoma. It allows eligible members to claim a credit equal to their down payment and closing costs, up to $4,000, for tax years 2026 and later. The credit is refundable (meaning it can be paid even if the member owes no state tax) and limited to one claim per person. To claim the credit, members must submit proof of purchase costs using a form provided by the Oklahoma Tax Commission. This policy directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members purchasing residential property within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesSB 288 creates a refundable income tax credit ($4,000 max) for National Guard homebuyers, providing direct tax relief and reducing state tax revenue, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingTax credit reduces homebuying costs for National Guard members, supporting housing access through financial incentives for home purchases.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates tax credit for National Guard home purchases, expanding financial benefits for veterans (National Guard members are veterans eligible for state benefits).90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Procurement Tax Credits Homeownership National Guard & Reserve

Track