Oklahoma Bills

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3700: Higher education; requiring policy ensuring student grades are evaluated solely on an academic basis; directing the State Regents to withhold state-appropriated funds for failure to adopt a policy; effective date; emergency.

HB 3700 requires all Oklahoma public colleges and universities to adopt a policy ensuring student grades are based solely on academic factors like attendance, course knowledge, and performance standards - prohibiting grades from being influenced by a student's personal opinions, beliefs, or unrelated conduct. This policy must be implemented by the 2026-2027 academic year, with institutions required to submit compliance verification to the State Regents for Higher Education. Failure to adopt the policy will result in the State Regents withholding all state funding from the noncompliant institution until adoption occurs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3934: Professions and occupations; practice of dentistry; definitions; committees; practice; licensing; effective date; emergency.

HB 3934 creates two new "extended care permits" for dental hygienists in Oklahoma to expand access to preventive dental care for underserved populations. Permit I allows hygienists to provide services in schools, foster care, youth programs, and clinics for children (birth to grade 12) with specific experience requirements (1,200 hours or teaching). Permit II allows similar services for seniors (65+) and people with developmental disabilities in residential facilities, requiring 1,600 hours and special training. Both permits require supervision by a licensed dentist, restrict services to preventive care (like cleanings and fluoride), and mandate reporting to the supervising dentist. The bill directly affects dental hygienists seeking expanded practice and the vulnerable groups they serve in community settings.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3944: Public finance; State Finance Act; reporting; budget request procedures; fund allotment procedures; fund transfer procedures; administration; effective date.

HB 3944 consolidates four Oklahoma state agencies - Department of Central Services, Office of Personnel Management, Oklahoma State Employees Benefits Council, and State and Education Employees Group Insurance Board - into a single Office of Management and Enterprise Services. It requires state agencies to submit detailed budget requests with performance metrics and track federal funds (like CARES and ARPA) through weekly and quarterly public reports. The bill also updates fund transfer procedures, eliminates outdated references in financial rules, and mandates clearer reporting on budget requests to the Legislature. These changes directly affect state agencies managing public funds and aim to modernize financial transparency.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3590: Revenue and taxation; Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act; eligibility; removing federal law reference; authorizing payment be made via secure electronic funds transfer; effective date.

HB 3590, the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2026, expands tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who contribute to scholarship-granting organizations. It increases the maximum annual tax credit: to $5,000 for single filers (up from $1,000), $10,000 for married couples filing jointly (up from $2,000), and $250,000 for businesses (up from $100,000). Taxpayers who commit to contribute the same amount for two consecutive years qualify for a 100% credit (up from 75%) on those contributions. The bill affects Oklahoma taxpayers making eligible contributions and requires scholarship organizations to submit annual financial reports to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✓ Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3701: Higher education; requiring all academic programs be reviewed on a five-year cycle for quality and currency; review; low-producing programs; emergency.

HB 3701, the "Oklahoma Higher Education Reform Act of 2026," is a procedural bill that names the legislation and sets its effective date. It does not establish new policies or alter existing laws; instead, it designates the act's official title and specifies that it takes effect on November 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Oklahoma's higher education system by formally naming the reform package, but it contains no substantive provisions or mechanisms beyond its own naming and timing. As a non-substantive procedural measure, it has no direct impact on students, institutions, or funding.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3671: Teachers; definition for career teacher; effective date.

HB 3671 redefines "career teacher" in Oklahoma law for public school educators. To qualify, teachers must meet specific criteria: either 3+ consecutive years in one district with certain evaluation ratings, 4+ years with averaged "effective" ratings, or a district petition process for those who don't meet standard requirements. This definition directly affects teachers seeking career status, which typically provides enhanced job protections. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3985: Property; Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act of 2026; requiring compensation for certain property damage; claims; effective date.

HB 3985, the Oklahoma Safe Neighborhoods Act of 2026, allows property owners in cities over 130,000 population (per the 2020 Census) to seek compensation when local governments fail to enforce laws against public nuisances like illegal camping, loitering, or public intoxication. Property owners may claim either documented costs spent to mitigate damage (e.g., security) or the reduced fair market value of their property, capped at their prior year’s primary property tax payment to the government. If a government rejects a claim within 30 days, the owner can sue in district court, where the government must prove its actions were lawful or the claim unreasonable, and a winning owner receives attorney fees. The law excludes claims related to case-by-case prosecutorial decisions or federal mandates and takes effect November 1, 2026.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 3695: Motor vehicles; personal injury accidents; modifying scope of certain defined term; effective date.

HB 3695 amends Oklahoma's definition of "great bodily injury" in motor vehicle laws to explicitly include bone fractures, disfigurement, loss of body function, or serious risk of death. It increases penalties for drivers causing such injuries while violating traffic laws: first offenses become misdemeanors (90 days-1 year jail, up to $2,500 fine), and repeat offenses or causing "great bodily injury" become Class B1 felonies (4-20 years prison, up to $5,000 fine). The bill directly affects drivers convicted of traffic violations resulting in severe injuries. It takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✓ Transportation

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 4426: Revenue and taxation; income tax; income tax credit for qualified economic development expenditures; effective date.

HB 4426 creates a state income tax credit for businesses making qualified economic development expenditures in specific Oklahoma locations. It allows eligible businesses to claim up to 10% of qualifying construction, equipment, or infrastructure costs (capped at $6 million per project), or up to 50% for rail infrastructure (capped at $3 million). The credit can be assigned to project affiliates like vendors or investors and carried forward for up to five years, with an annual state cap of $12 million. The bill applies to projects in counties under 100,000 population, industrial parks, economic development zones, or near qualifying railroads, effective November 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

passed both · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 4248: Public health and safety; prohibiting the sale of beverages containing hemp to anyone of a specific age; effective date.

HB 4248 is a procedural bill that names itself the "Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverages Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It does not change any alcohol regulations or affect any specific entities. The bill solely establishes its own title and effective date for reference purposes. This is a standard naming procedure with no substantive policy changes.

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 4434: State government; Governor; requiring certain notification to successor; notification requirements; time requirement of notice; effective date.

HB 4434 is a procedural bill that names the "State Government Act of 2026" and sets its effective date. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or entities, as it merely provides a title for the bill and specifies November 1, 2026, as the effective date. The bill is noncodified, meaning it will not be added to Oklahoma's official statutes. This is a routine naming and scheduling measure with no substantive policy changes.

signed · Oklahoma · House May 6, 2026

HB 4317: Professions and occupations; accountants; education requirements; certificates; effective date.

HB 4317 updates Oklahoma's education requirements for individuals seeking Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification. Starting November 1, 2026, applicants must hold a bachelor's degree or higher and complete either: (1) 24 accounting credit hours above introductory level (including one auditing course) plus 9 credit hours in business/economics subjects, or (2) 24 accounting hours plus 24 business/economics credit hours. This bill directly affects future CPA candidates in Oklahoma by raising educational standards for entry into the profession. The changes apply to those applying for certification after the 2026 effective date, with the current 120-hour requirement phasing out.

Bill results