SB 387 Oklahoma Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology; modifying definition of eligible student. Effective date.

SB 387 modifies the definition of "eligible student" for Oklahoma's STEM internship program, expanding eligibility to include students enrolled in technology centers or pursuing STEM degrees (like computer science, engineering, or data analytics) at higher education institutions. The bill creates the "Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology Intern Partnership for STEM Workforce Pipeline Program," which provides competitive grants to organizations hosting STEM interns. To qualify, organizations must secure at least 50% non-state funding for projects with commercial potential, demonstrate job creation in Oklahoma, and align with innovation-focused work. The program will be administered by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, effective November 1, 2025.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed May 5, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

Floor (House) → Floor (Senate) · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was converted from the House version to the Senate floor version, primarily changing the header and committee report information. The substantive legislative text regarding the STEM internship program remains unchanged. The only policy difference is the committee report date, which changed from April 17, 2025 to March 4, 2025, reflecting the Senate's processing date.

Scope change

No substantive change to the bill's scope or applicability; only procedural formatting and committee report date were updated.

TIMELINE

Committee report date changed from April 17, 2025 to March 4, 2025, indicating earlier Senate processing.

TECHNICAL

Header changed from 'HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES' to 'SENATE FLOOR VERSION' with updated page numbering and formatting.

Introduced → Engrossed · 8 edits · Mar 10, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology's internship program by clarifying eligibility criteria, adding detailed requirements for applicant organizations, and establishing specific standards for evaluating intern experiences and project outcomes. The changes ensure that funded projects lead to innovation rather than basic research, enhance employment opportunities in Oklahoma, and provide measurable results for participating organizations.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on the same STEM internship program, but with more detailed and specific requirements for applicant organizations and evaluation criteria.

ELIGIBILITY

Added specific STEM disciplines including natural sciences, computer science, materials science, engineering, biomedical, biotechnical, data analytics, finance, and mathematics to the eligible student definition.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that at least 50% of project direct costs must come from sources other than state funding, including salary, cash, nonstate grant funds, and other defined funding sources.

Added requirement for applicant organizations to provide a description of potential commercial applications, industrial sectors that will benefit, and potential to enhance Oklahoma employment opportunities.

Added requirement for applicant organizations to submit an itemized research budget, timeline, and research methodology.

Modified Board evaluation criteria to require beneficial intern experiences with real-world technology application, projects leading to innovation rather than just training, and measurable results with positive organizational impact.

Added exclusion for projects that only involve market surveys or basic research lacking potential for short-term commercialization.

Modified Board approval criteria to require that projects lead to innovation rather than just being technically sound, and added requirement for measurable results.

TIMELINE

Added effective date of November 1, 2025, and passage dates for Senate (March 10, 2025) and House (blank for future date).

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 5, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by Governor 05/03/2025

upper

Apr 28, 2025

Committee

Referred for enrollment

upper

Apr 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 87 Nays: 1

lower

Apr 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

CR; Do Pass Appropriations and Budget Committee

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Recommendation to the full committee; Do Pass Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee

lower

Apr 2, 2025

Committee

Referred to Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

lower

Mar 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

Engrossed to House

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Committee

Referred for engrossment

upper

Mar 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

Measure passed: Ayes: 47 Nays: 0

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported Do Pass Education committee; CR filed

upper

Feb 3, 2025

Introduced

First Reading

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors