Geographic literacy; appropriation; effective date; emergency.

HB 1494 appropriates $150,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Department of Education for geographic literacy programs in public schools. The funds will be used to contract with a qualified Oklahoma-based nonprofit organization specializing in geography education to train teachers and improve geography instruction statewide. This bill directly affects Oklahoma public school educators and students by enhancing curriculum resources through a partnership with a nonprofit focused on geography. The appropriation is effective July 1, 2025, with no additional funding requirements beyond the specified amount.