HB 2759 creates the "Oklahoma Volunteer Firefighter Support Program" to assist volunteer firefighters in the state. It establishes a grant program that will help these firefighters receive up to ten hours of annual training from approved programs. The State Fire Marshal is responsible for creating an application system for these grants and managing the "Oklahoma Volunteer Firefighter Support Revolving Fund," which will finance the program through appropriations, donations, and other designated funds. This act is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.
HB 1849 establishes the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program until November 1, 2028, administered by the Oklahoma Partnership for School Readiness. This program aims to support employees of licensed childcare facilities by exempting their household income when determining eligibility for the state's Child Care Subsidy Program. Additionally, the Department of Human Services will waive copayments for these qualifying employees. Childcare facilities must notify the Department within 30 days if an employee leaves, while all other existing eligibility conditions for the Child Care Subsidy Program remain in effect.
House Bill 2285 establishes the Evacuation Vehicle Access Corridor Act to enhance safety for residents in certain isolated areas of Oklahoma. It creates the Evacuation Vehicle Access Corridor Revolving Fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). This fund will support the Evacuation Vehicle Access Corridor Grant Program, allowing counties to apply for grants. These grants are specifically for constructing county roads in "qualified areas," defined as landlocked basins with at least 2,000 residents and limited existing road access, to create new evacuation routes.
House Bill 1848 proposes a new income tax credit for Oklahoma employers that provide childcare assistance for their employees' children, aged five or less. Starting in 2026, employers can claim a credit equal to 30% of their expenses for direct childcare assistance, operating a licensed childcare facility, or reserving spots. The credit is capped at $30,000 per employer annually, with a statewide limit of $5 million each fiscal year. Unused credits can be carried over for up to five years, and the provisions are set to expire at the end of 2030.
House Bill 1243, known as the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act, establishes a program to provide tuition assistance to current members of the Oklahoma National Guard for enrollment in technology center schools. The program offers tuition equivalent to the cost of a career and technology program, up to three years, for courses leading to certification or licensure. To qualify, Guard members must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having at least one year remaining on their enlistment and agreeing to serve actively for 24 months after receiving assistance. The bill also creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Revolving Fund for program funding and outlines repayment requirements for those who do not fulfill their service obligations, with provisions for hardship waivers.
HB 1201 proposes a new tax credit for taxpayers who contribute to qualified pregnancy resource centers in Oklahoma. These centers are defined as non-residential facilities that assist women and families with crisis or unplanned pregnancies by offering various support services, but do not perform or refer for abortions. Taxpayers can claim a credit equal to 70% of their contribution, up to $50,000 per year, for contributions made between 2026 and 2031. The State Department of Health's Director determines which facilities qualify, and there is an annual statewide limit of $5 million for all claimed credits.
HB 1375, also known as the "Oklahoma Nuclear Energy Feasibility Study Act of 2025," requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to hire an outside consulting firm. This firm will conduct a technical and legal feasibility study on promoting nuclear energy generation in Oklahoma. The study will evaluate economic, environmental, and socioeconomic impacts, along with optimal designs, siting, safety, and policy recommendations. State public utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities must cooperate by providing relevant information. A written report of the study's findings must be delivered to the Governor and legislative leaders within nine months, with up to $375,000 allocated for the consulting firm.
House Bill 2019 extends specific income tax credits related to Oklahoma's aerospace industry. It prolongs the availability of a tax credit for qualified employers for compensation paid to eligible aerospace employees, pushing its expiration date from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2032. The bill also extends an income tax credit for qualified aerospace employees themselves, allowing them to claim up to $5,000 annually, also until January 1, 2032. This legislation continues these tax incentives for businesses and individuals working in the aerospace sector.
HB 1380 establishes the Insulin Access and Affordability Program within the Oklahoma State Department of Health. This program aims to increase marketplace competition, lower insulin prices, and improve access to affordable prescription drugs for Oklahomans. It authorizes the Department of Health to enter agreements with nonprofit pharmaceutical companies to accelerate the development and access of fast-acting insulin. The bill also allows partnerships with nonprofit organizations to make biosimilar insulin available at specific price caps, such as $30 per vial, with these organizations providing matching funds. The program seeks to reduce drug costs for public and private purchasers, taxpayers, and consumers.
HB 2154 amends Oklahoma's Charter Schools Act to require charter school governing boards to approve a budget for each upcoming fiscal year before it begins. This change directly affects all Oklahoma charter school governing boards by adding a new annual procedural requirement. The bill focuses on strengthening financial oversight through mandatory pre-fiscal-year budget approvals, without altering other provisions like financial statement requirements or contract rules. The amendment was added to the bill during committee review and is currently pending in the House.
SB 521 updates Oklahoma's franchise law by clarifying key definitions in Section 6005 of Title 59. It defines "franchisor" to include subfranchisors who handle both pre-sale and post-sale activities, and specifies that a "franchise" requires trademark use, franchisor control or assistance, and a payment. Crucially, the bill explicitly states that franchisors are not employers of franchisee employees, and franchisee employees are not considered employees of the franchisor. This directly affects franchise businesses and their workers in Oklahoma by clarifying legal employer-employee relationships. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1088 allows students in school districts that do not offer their required grade level to automatically transfer to an adjacent district without facing capacity limits. This applies only to one transfer per student, bypassing standard capacity rules that normally restrict transfers. Subsequent transfers would follow existing rules under the Education Open Transfer Act. The bill directly affects students whose home districts lack their grade level, particularly those seeking adjacent district enrollment.
