Oklahoma Bills

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3053: Energy; directing Corporation Commission to evaluate relationship between Southwest Power Pool and the state; requiring report; establishing deadline; distribution; emergency.

This Oklahoma law directs the state's Corporation Commission to work with the Southwest Power Pool, a regional electricity grid operator, to produce a detailed report on their relationship. The report must analyze how the Power Pool's decisions affect Oklahoma's electricity costs, budget, and industries, while also examining the transmission of power generated in the state to other regions. Commission officials are required to finish this assessment by December 31, 2024, and send the final findings to the Governor, state legislators, and committee chairs. The bill includes an emergency clause to ensure the law takes effect immediately upon signing.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3089: Insurance; Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act; retrofitting; program; Department of Insurance; grant; contractor; evaluator; revolving fund; Insurance Commissioner; effective date.

This bill establishes the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act, which creates a grant program within the Department of Insurance to help homeowners retrofit their primary residences against tornadoes, windstorms, and hail. Funding for the program depends on securing federal or other external grants rather than creating a guaranteed state entitlement, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. To qualify, homeowners must have wind and flood insurance, hire certified evaluators to assess their homes, obtain bids from at least three certified contractors, and complete the retrofitting work within three months of approval. Once a home meets the required safety standards, the department will pay the contractor directly, and all application documents will remain confidential and protected from public records requests.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3238: Long-term care; Oklahoma Health Care Authority; PACE program; agreements; enforcement; regulations; exemption; rules; Adult Day Care Act; Home Care Act; modifying definitions; emergency.

This bill designates the Oklahoma Health Care Authority as the official state agency responsible for overseeing and enforcing federal regulations for PACE programs, which provide all-inclusive care for the elderly. It exempts PACE organizations from standard state licensure requirements for adult day care and home care facilities, though the Department of Health retains authority to regulate any external contractors these organizations use. Additionally, the legislation updates legal definitions within the Adult Day Care Act and Home Care Act to explicitly exclude PACE organizations from their scope. The law includes an emergency clause to ensure it takes effect immediately upon approval.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3449: Mental health workforce development; Oklahoma State University Medical Authority Behavioral Health Workforce Development Fund; revolving fund for the University Hospitals Authority; pilot program; emergency.

This bill establishes two revolving funds to support mental health workforce development at the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority and the University Hospitals Authority. The funds will finance a pilot program aimed at recruiting and retaining behavioral health professionals through initiatives such as creating new treatment beds, renovating facilities, offering scholarships for social work and nursing students, and providing relocation assistance for out-of-state staff. Additionally, the legislation requires these organizations to submit a report to the legislature after the first year detailing the number of professionals recruited or retained and the program's overall benefits.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3594: Blockchains; digital assets; home digital asset mining; digital asset mining business; limitations; liability; effective date.

This Oklahoma law establishes a legal framework for digital assets and blockchain technology by defining key terms and protecting individuals' rights to use, store, and trade these assets. The bill prohibits the state from imposing extra taxes on digital asset transactions and limits capital gains tax liability to $200 per transaction, while also clarifying that operating nodes or mining services does not require a money transmitter license. It further allows residents to mine digital assets at home and permits industrial-scale mining businesses, provided they adhere to existing noise and zoning rules without facing discriminatory regulations. Additionally, the legislation ensures that businesses offering mining or staking services are not classified as securities and limits liability for participants validating transactions on the network.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3959: Rebate payments; creating the Oklahoma Five Major Sports Leagues Rebate Program Act; providing rebate payments for certain establishments; prescribing requirements for qualification of payments; providing transfer of certain monies to the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund; prescribing procedures; effective date.

This bill creates the Oklahoma Five Major Sports Leagues Rebate Program Act to provide quarterly financial rebates to professional sports teams from the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and MLS operating in the state. Eligible teams must have an annual gross payroll of at least $10 million and employ at least 80% full-time-equivalent staff in the state to receive payments calculated based on their actual payroll. The program is limited to a maximum of $10 million per year per team and requires teams to repay all funds if they cease operations within three years. Additionally, five percent of every quarterly payment is automatically transferred to the Oklahoma Quick Action Closing Fund.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 13, 2024

HB 3958: Student communication; requiring certain communication with student to include student's parent or guardian; effective date; emergency.

This Oklahoma law requires teachers and other school staff to include a student's parent or guardian in any electronic or digital communication sent to that student. The rule applies to messages such as emails, texts, and social media posts, though it allows for exceptions during emergencies if parents are notified afterward. Schools must use approved platforms that automatically include parents when possible, and staff must complete training on these requirements. If a staff member is accused of violating the rule, they will be placed on administrative leave while an investigation occurs, which could lead to termination and a law enforcement report if misconduct is confirmed.