HB 2894 amends the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act, modifying the tax incentives available for tourism projects. It adjusts sales tax credit amounts based on project investment tiers, offering up to 10% for projects between $500,000 and $1 million, and up to 25% for projects over $1 million. The bill specifically allows approved companies developing "Entertainment Districts" to pass through sales tax credits to their tenant businesses or, for larger projects, to receive incentive payments based on tenant sales tax collections. It also sets an annual cap of $30 million for cumulative inducements under the Act and concerns extending the Act's sunset date.
This bill requires street-legal low-speed electric vehicles and golf carts to be registered as motor vehicles in Oklahoma. It mandates that these vehicles comply with national highway safety standards and restricts their operation to roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, though they may cross higher-speed roads. Operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Class D driver's license, without needing a special motorcycle endorsement. Service Oklahoma is authorized to register and license these vehicles and to create rules for their implementation.
House Bill 2422 establishes new conditions for parole eligibility for certain sex offenders in Oklahoma. It applies to sex offenders over 21 who committed a registered sex crime against a minor under 13. Under the bill, such offenders would undergo a mental health evaluation; if hormonal treatment is determined to reduce re-offending, the offender may voluntarily elect to receive it as a parole condition. This treatment, administered by a licensed physician, must begin prior to release and continue while on parole. Failure to adhere to the treatment or committing a subsequent offense would result in the loss of parole eligibility, and these provisions apply to convictions on or after the bill's effective date.
HB 2247 requires the State Department of Education to develop new standards. These standards will implement the "least restrictive environment" requirements outlined in the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The purpose is to ensure that students with special needs are not unnecessarily excluded from the general classroom setting. This bill is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.
SB 244 establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU). It directs the school to educate students on American political principles, leadership, civic engagement, and foundational topics like American history, government, and democratic values through new courses and programs. The bill creates an advisory board with members appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, and authorizes OU to develop a required undergraduate course on American civic knowledge for all students. The school will operate as an academic unit on OU's Norman campus and is funded through state appropriations.
SB 423 modifies Oklahoma's medical records access law to clarify and standardize copying fees for patients and others. It sets a 50-cent fee per page for standard medical records copies (excluding x-rays), a $20 base fee for attorneys/insurance requests, and $0.30 per page for digital copies with a $200 cap. The bill eliminates fees for providers to search or retrieve a patient's own records and prohibits charging for faxed copies. It also specifies that mental health/substance abuse records remain governed by separate state law (Title 43A, §1-109).
SB 133 establishes a statewide moratorium on issuing most groundwater permits (excluding domestic use) until the Oklahoma Water Resources Board completes hydrological studies to determine maximum annual water yields for each basin. The bill requires these studies to ensure groundwater withdrawals won't reduce natural spring or stream flows, and permits cannot resume until the Board approves basin-specific yield limits. It applies to all pending permit applications and revalidations as of the bill's effective date, with an immediate emergency effective date declared. The bill does not specifically target medical marijuana facilities, as the title suggests, but broadly affects all non-domestic groundwater users.
HB 1424 establishes a new arbitration process for resolving unfair labor practice claims between cities, towns (as employers) and public employee bargaining agents. The bill outlines a timeline for notifying the other party of an alleged practice and details a specific method for selecting a three-person arbitration board. If the initially chosen arbitrators cannot agree on a third, the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will provide a list for selection. Additionally, the bill specifies that each party will pay for their own selected arbitrator, while the fees for the third, neutral arbitrator will be shared equally.
SB 6 modifies election dates for school board members in Oklahoma school districts and technology center school districts. It changes general elections to occur on the first Tuesday in April during odd-numbered years and the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November during even-numbered years. Primary elections would now be held on the second Tuesday in February during odd-numbered years (or the same day as the Presidential Primary if held in February) and on the fourth Tuesday in August during even-numbered years. Candidates must file declarations of candidacy between December 1st and April 30th annually, with the bill taking effect November 1, 2025.
House Bill 2431 amends current Oklahoma law regarding personalized license plates. It outlines the process for Service Oklahoma to design, issue, and renew these plates, detailing provisions such as retaining plates upon vehicle transfer and annual renewal procedures with email notification. The bill also specifies character limits for various plate types, including those for veterans and vintage vehicles, and sets the annual renewal fee at $20, with specific apportionment of these funds. This act would become effective on November 1, 2025.
HCR 1011 is a concurrent resolution that designates April 11, 2025, as "Route 66 Day" in Oklahoma. It recognizes the historical and cultural importance of U.S. Route 66, particularly its contributions to the state's transportation, migration, commerce, culture, and tourism. The resolution directs that copies be distributed to the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department and the Oklahoma Historical Society for appropriate observance.
HB 2735 modifies Oklahoma's licensing rules for professions by establishing clear criteria for denying licenses based on criminal history. It allows denial only if a conviction "substantially relates" to the job duties and "poses a reasonable threat" to public safety, requiring licensing boards to consider factors like offense severity, time passed, and rehabilitation evidence. The bill explicitly prohibits denial for sealed/expunged records, most convictions older than five years (except for domestic violence, sex offenses, or specific felonies), and vague "good character" claims. Applicants can request pre-licensing determinations about their criminal history within 60-90 days, and boards must provide written notice of denial reasons with appeal options. This directly affects individuals seeking state licenses who have criminal records.
