Veterans (National Guard & Reserve)

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1695: Firearms; modifying scope of allowable carry. Effective date.

SB 1695 amends Oklahoma's firearms carry law to add a new exception allowing 18- to 21-year-old members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard (with honorable discharge) to carry firearms openly or concealed without the usual age restrictions, provided they are not otherwise disqualified under state or federal law. This specifically affects young military personnel who meet the service criteria, expanding their existing rights under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act. The bill does not change other existing exceptions (like for hunters, judges, or self-defense) or prohibited locations for firearm carry. It takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands firearm carry rights for veterans with honorable discharge, granting them legal exception under Oklahoma law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

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

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1939: Firearms; expanding certain eligibility related to unlawful carry. Effective date.

SB 1939 amends Oklahoma law to expand handgun license eligibility for individuals aged 18-20 who are members or veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard (discharged honorably). The bill updates Section 1290.9 of the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act to explicitly include this group as qualifying applicants, removing prior age-based barriers for military-affiliated youth. It does not change other eligibility requirements (like age 21, training, or residency). This policy change takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting young military personnel seeking concealed carry permits in Oklahoma.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands handgun license eligibility for veteran members, removing age barriers and recognizing military service as a qualifying factor.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

failed · Oklahoma · House May 15, 2025

HB 2136: Militia; creating the Oklahoma National Guard Supplemental Retirement Pay Revolving Fund; applicability; eligibility; payment amounts; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates supplemental retirement fund for National Guard veterans excluded from full federal benefits, directly expanding their retirement compensation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2769: Militia; Military Department; Adjutant General's duties; eligibility; authority; technology hardware or software; exempting federal programs; nonjudicial punishment; court-martial; creating National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program; creating revolving fund; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCreates CareerTech Assistance Program funding technology career training for National Guard members, directly supporting tech workforce development.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program providing education funding via revolving fund for eligible Guard members, directly supporting veteran career transitions and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2840: Revenue and taxation; income tax credit; National Guard; home station; effective date.

HB 2840 creates a $1,500 annual income tax credit for Oklahoma National Guard members who live more than 50 miles from their assigned home station. The credit applies to taxable years beginning January 1, 2026, and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. Unused portions of the credit may be carried forward for up to five subsequent years. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, directly benefiting eligible National Guard members by reducing their state income tax burden.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax credit reducing state income tax for National Guard members, aligning with tax relief indicators for targeted groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides $1,500 annual tax credit for National Guard members (a military group central to veterans' support), reducing their tax burden and directly advancing financial benefits for service members.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits National Guard & Reserve

Track

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1354: Veterans; requiring Oklahoma Department of Veteran's Affairs to create certain program to create certain headstone or marker; providing certain burial grant; providing eligibility requirements; creating revolving fund. Effective date.

SB 1354 creates a program through Oklahoma's Department of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones or markers and burial grants for eligible Oklahoma National Guard veterans. It directly affects veterans who served six or more years in the Oklahoma National Guard, died as Oklahoma residents, were honorably discharged, and are not already eligible for federal headstones under 38 U.S.C. § 2306. The bill establishes a revolving fund (using state appropriations and donations) to cover headstone costs and burial reimbursement, with the VA developing application rules and eligibility guidelines. This program will take effect November 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates state-funded headstone/marker program and burial grants for eligible Oklahoma National Guard veterans not covered by federal benefits, establishing a revolving fund to cover costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

Track

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

Track

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