SB 1778, the Strong Readers Act, requires Oklahoma public schools to screen all kindergarten through third-grade students for reading skills at multiple points during the school year using approved tools. It mandates intensive reading intervention services for students not meeting grade-level targets, including summer academies for first- and third-grade students who remain behind, and requires retention of third graders who do not meet reading proficiency after interventions (with specific exemptions for students with disabilities or English learners). The bill also requires schools to provide written parental notifications about interventions, maintain reading intervention plans within 30 days of identification, and report progress data to the state. These provisions aim to improve early literacy outcomes through structured screening, targeted support, and accountability for student reading proficiency.
SB 1767 prohibits out-of-state retailers from shipping alcoholic beverages to Oklahoma residents or processing payments for such shipments. It directly affects online alcohol retailers operating outside Oklahoma. The bill authorizes Oklahoma's Attorney General and the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission to enforce the ban through civil penalties (ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 per shipment or treble damages) and investigations. It also creates an "Alcohol Enforcement and Regulatory Revolving Fund" funded by these penalties to support enforcement, compliance efforts, and public education campaigns. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 1530 requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to verify that businesses claiming research and development rebates actually conducted eligible research within Oklahoma. It affects companies seeking rebates equal to 5% of their qualified research expenses, with a $20 million annual cap on total payments. The bill mandates that businesses submit applications and documentation for verification before receiving rebates, and if funds are insufficient, payments are prorated or carried over to future years. This amendment updates existing rules for the Oklahoma Research and Development Rebate Fund, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 2293 extends the Oklahoma Broadband Office's operations until December 31, 2030 (previously ending June 30, 2028) and reorganizes it as a division of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The bill also extends the Broadband Governing Board and Broadband Expansion Council until 2030, maintaining their roles in overseeing statewide broadband grant programs, the Statewide Broadband Plan, and rural connectivity initiatives. These entities will continue managing federal and state funds for broadband expansion while operating under open-government laws. The changes ensure continuity for existing broadband infrastructure projects and grant programs without altering their core functions.
HB 1782 is a procedural bill that names the "Education Reform Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. It contains no substantive policy provisions or mechanisms for education reform. The bill was introduced on February 3, 2025, and referred to the Rules Committee for further consideration. As currently drafted, it does not directly affect any specific policies, programs, or individuals.
HB 3006 extends the Oklahoma Advisory Council on Indian Education's existence until July 2027 (from 2026), continuing a body that advises on Native American student education. The council, composed of 18 members including tribal representatives, educators, and state education officials, must analyze data on Native American student outcomes and make annual reports to the State Board of Education. It focuses on identifying strategies to improve communication between tribes, schools, and education entities, and developing measurable criteria to assess educational success for Native American students. This bill directly affects Oklahoma’s public education system in how it addresses the needs of Native American students statewide.
HB 3044 amends Oklahoma tax return forms to allow taxpayers to donate a portion of their state income or corporate tax refund to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA). These donations directly fund ODVA's equipment purchases and capital improvement projects, such as facility upgrades and new construction. The bill creates a dedicated "Capital Improvement Program Revolving Fund" to manage these donations, which can be invested and used for veterans' facility needs without annual budget restrictions. It reauthorizes this existing donation mechanism, effective November 1, 2026, and includes a three-year refund process for taxpayers who donate in error.
HB 3127 protects Oklahoma medical marijuana patients and caregivers from discrimination in employment, public assistance, and firearm ownership. It prohibits employers from refusing to hire, firing, or penalizing individuals solely for being a licensed medical marijuana user, and bars denial of Medicaid, SNAP, or firearm rights based on that status. However, the bill mandates a "zero-tolerance" policy for safety-sensitive jobs (like operating vehicles, handling hazardous materials, or direct patient care), allowing employers to enforce drug testing and discipline for marijuana use at work. Employers may still maintain written drug testing policies under state standards, but cannot deny employment based solely on medical marijuana license status or a positive test if the user is licensed and not impaired at work.
HB 3288 requires Oklahoma public elementary schools (prekindergarten through grade 5) to provide 60 minutes per week of dedicated physical education instruction (not counting recess) and an additional 60 minutes per week of physical activity (including recess, fitness breaks, or wellness education). It prohibits withholding physical education as punishment for students in these grades, except in safety-related situations, and mandates schools coordinate recess before testing to encourage light-to-moderate activity. The bill also encourages school districts to provide 225 minutes per week of physical education for grades 6-12, with specific curriculum standards emphasizing lifelong activity skills and accessibility for students with disabilities. These requirements are tied to school accreditation and take effect July 1, 2028.
HB 3322 clarifies Oklahoma's rules for interpreting state statutes, particularly when multiple versions of the same law exist due to repeated amendments. It specifies that laws enacted after July 1, 1989, are presumed severable (meaning invalid parts don't void the entire law) unless a court finds the remaining parts are inseparable. For older laws, it presumes severability unless a court determines the remaining parts depend on the invalid section. Additionally, when conflicting versions arise from different amendments, the most recently enacted version (with exact enactment time) is presumed to reflect the Legislature's current intent.
HB 3522 requires the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission to make its annual report publicly available online. The report, due by January 31 each year, must include the number of licenses revoked or suspended (with reasons), the number of enforcement tickets issued, total ticket amounts, and total penalties collected. This bill directly affects the ABLE Commission by mandating transparency in its regulatory actions and the public by providing accessible data on alcohol license enforcement. It does not change licensing rules or alcohol regulations but makes existing reporting requirements publicly accessible on the ABLE website starting November 1, 2026.
HB 3472 is a procedural bill that establishes the name "Environment and Natural Resources Efficiency Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. The bill contains no substantive policy provisions or mechanisms, as it only creates the act's name and effective date without outlining specific requirements or changes. It does not directly affect any entities or individuals through new regulations or programs. This is a naming and timing measure, not a policy bill with concrete provisions.
