HB 4304 amends Oklahoma's tax exemption rules to clarify and expand which purchases by local governments and public agencies qualify for sales tax exemption. It specifically adds an exemption for sales related to "qualified federal facilities" under the Oklahoma Federal Facilities Development Act, where property ownership transfers immediately to a political subdivision. The bill also clarifies that government entities can designate agents to make tax-exempt purchases on their behalf, requires written certification for such purchases, and updates the list of eligible public authorities (including universities and special districts) that qualify for exemptions. This directly affects local governments, public agencies, and their contractors by reducing tax burdens on eligible purchases.
HB 3028 amends Oklahoma's Consumer Credit Code to prohibit businesses from charging credit card surcharges exceeding 2% of a transaction or the actual processing fee. It allows businesses to offer discounts for cash, check, or debit payments but bans extra fees for using credit cards. The bill specifically permits technology center school districts, public schools, municipalities, and similar entities to charge service fees limited to bank processing costs, secure transaction expenses, and necessary bandwidth fees. These rules apply to all in-person, online, and phone transactions and take effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3627 regulates how public bodies in Oklahoma can hold meetings via videoconference. It requires most public bodies to maintain a physical quorum at meetings (except for specific exceptions like the State Committee of Blind Vendors, which can meet entirely remotely), mandates detailed meeting notices listing video sites and member locations, and requires all videoconference sites to be publicly accessible. The bill also specifies that public input must be allowed equally at video sites, electronic materials shared during meetings must be publicly available, and all votes must be recorded by roll call. It includes special provisions allowing the Oklahoma Tax Commission, Statewide Independent Living Council, and State Committee of Blind Vendors to conduct executive sessions via videoconference under defined conditions.
HB 2967 amends Oklahoma's motor vehicle excise tax rules, affecting vehicle owners during transfers of ownership or first registration. It sets a 4.5% tax on off-road all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, and utility vehicles (with a $5 minimum), and establishes tiered rates for used vehicles based on value and registration year. The bill also creates a $10 tax for heavy trucks, trailers, and frac tanks used for highway cargo, while exempting pickup trucks and commercial vehicles from this tax in lieu of sales/use taxes. Additionally, it allows a credit for excise tax paid on new vehicles replaced due to theft or defects within specific timeframes.
HB 4329 modifies Oklahoma law to clarify dental insurance claim processes. It defines "covered services" as those reimbursable under a subscriber agreement, regardless of deductibles or waiting periods. The bill requires dental plans to establish appeal procedures for denied claims based on medical necessity and mandates that written denial notices include the reviewing dentist's license details and contact information. This directly affects dentists and dental insurance plans in Oklahoma by standardizing claim denial processes and improving transparency. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 4280 increases annual funding for Oklahoma's Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund (ROADS Fund) to support road and bridge construction and maintenance. It sets specific annual funding levels: $575 million for fiscal year 2021, $590 million for 2022, $610 million for 2025, and $670 million starting in 2026. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to use these funds first for debt payments on highway obligations, then for road/bridge construction, maintenance, and matching federal funds. The legislation directly affects Oklahoma's highway infrastructure and the DOT's budget allocation process, with funding adjustments triggered by revenue shortfalls.
HB 3313 establishes a new defined contribution retirement plan for Oklahoma public employees hired on or after November 1, 2015, replacing the traditional defined benefit pension for these workers. It requires a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (with a 6% employer match), allows higher voluntary contributions up to 7%, and gives participants investment choices through 401(a) and 457(b) plan structures. The bill excludes certain employees, including district attorneys, county/city officials, and some hospital staff, from this new system. Key provisions include customizable benefit forms, employer matching based on contribution rates, and requirements for the Board of Trustees to maintain tax-qualified plan status.
HB 2730 modifies Oklahoma's tax interest rates and penalties for late payments. It sets interest on overdue state taxes at 1.25% per month (based on the Wall Street Prime rate plus 3%) and establishes specific penalty timelines: 10% penalties apply after 15 days for sales/use taxes or 30 days for other taxes, unless paid within 60 days of notice. The bill also updates refund interest deadlines, requiring the Tax Commission to pay interest on delayed refunds within 30 days for electronic filings or 90 days for paper returns. These changes apply to all delinquent accounts as of the bill's effective date, November 1, 2025.
HB 1889 adjusts retirement benefits for a specific group of Oklahoma public employees called "Tweeners" who retired before 1989 or 1990 without 20 years of service by May 1983. It requires the Pension and Retirement Board to calculate a cost-of-living adjustment based on inflation (measured by the Consumer Price Index) to restore 100% of lost benefits due to price increases since their retirement start date. The adjustment applies to Tweeners receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025, and becomes effective July 1, 2025. This bill directly affects approximately 1,200 retired public employees in Oklahoma's state retirement systems who were previously ineligible for full inflation adjustments.
HB 2015 (Oklahoma) clarifies tenant rights when landlords fail to meet rental agreement terms or health/safety standards. It requires tenants to provide landlords with written notice of issues, giving them 14 days to fix problems before tenants can take action. If landlords don’t act, tenants may legally withhold rent (up to one month’s cost for repairs), deduct repair costs from rent, or terminate the lease for uninhabitable conditions. The bill also prohibits landlords from pursuing eviction for nonpayment while tenants use these remedies, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 2929 in Oklahoma prohibits insurers from canceling or increasing premiums on homeowner's insurance policies due to a first claim or claims older than five years. It also restricts insurers from using weather-related claims history to raise rates unless there are three or more such claims within the past three years (with exceptions for unaddressed repair issues). The bill requires insurers to provide written renewal notices at least 30 days before policy expiration, keeping current terms in effect if notices are missed, and mandates refunds for unused premiums when policies are canceled early. These changes directly affect Oklahoma homeowners by limiting how insurers can adjust coverage based on claims history.
HB 1268 allows licensed emergency medical personnel (including EMTs, paramedics) and deputy sheriffs/county jailers with at least 20 years of service to defer receiving their retirement benefits for up to five years while continuing to work. During this deferral period, employer contributions continue, participants receive cost-of-living adjustments, and they can choose to receive their accrued benefits as a lump sum or annuity upon retirement. The bill specifically applies to members of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System who elect this option, with death benefits paid to survivors without the standard 30-month marriage requirement if death occurred during duty. It takes effect November 1, 2025.
