SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.
SB 289 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax exemption period for certain museums, directly affecting those institutions by changing how long they can qualify for tax relief on eligible purchases. The bill amends Section 1356 of Oklahoma's tax code to adjust the duration of the exemption, ensuring museums remain exempt from sales tax on qualifying items used for their operations. This change updates the existing exemption framework without altering other established tax exemptions for government entities, schools, or nonprofits listed in the same section. The bill is designated as an emergency measure to expedite implementation.
SB 820 expands Oklahoma's sports league rebate program to include the WNBA, WPF, and NWSL, in addition to the existing NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. It allows qualifying professional sports teams (with specific payroll and employment thresholds) to receive quarterly rebates based on verified in-state payroll, capped at $10 million annually per team. The rebate requires teams to maintain operations in Oklahoma for eligibility and repay funds if they leave within three years. The bill is currently under review by the Appropriations and Budget Finance Subcommittee.
HB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to address groundwater safety and workforce shortages. It requires licensing for well drillers and pump installers to prevent groundwater pollution, establishes training standards with industry partners, and funds a specialized education program at a Oklahoma research university. The program targets current and future groundwater professionals (including drillers, pump installers, and plumbers) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature. Funding comes from a new revolving fund in the State Treasury, effective November 1, 2025.
HB 1276 requires Oklahoma school districts to adopt policies banning student use of cell phones and personal electronic devices (like tablets, smartwatches, or laptops) during the entire school day and on school grounds by the 2025-2026 school year. Exceptions are allowed for documented medical emergencies with a licensed professional's approval. Districts may opt out of the ban through annual board approval, but must still follow the policy framework. The bill defines "personal electronic devices" broadly (excluding school-issued devices used for instruction) and takes effect July 1, 2025.
This resolution formally recognizes April 6-12, 2025, as National Crime Victims’ Rights Week and April 9, 2025, as Victims’ Rights Day in Oklahoma. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of victims' rights within the justice system. The Oklahoma Senate directs copies of this resolution to the Victims Services Division of the District Attorneys Council for distribution. This is a symbolic gesture, not a substantive legislative change, aligning with nationwide observances.
HB 1860 requires crime scene and autopsy photographs submitted to Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board for clemency hearings to be kept confidential. It adds these specific victim photographs to the list of records exempt from public disclosure under the Oklahoma Open Records Act. This protects victims' families from having sensitive images made public during clemency proceedings. The bill directly affects individuals involved in clemency cases where such photographs are part of the hearing packet.
HB 1420 requires all Oklahoma state agencies to seek approval from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services before leasing, purchasing, or constructing real property, prioritizing reuse of existing state-owned space. It mandates selling underutilized state-owned property, with proceeds funding the Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund for facility upkeep. Agencies must obtain Oklahoma Historical Society approval before reusing historically significant properties. The law exempts specific entities like the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority from these requirements.
SB 650 requires municipal and publicly owned sewage utilities to create detailed five-year plans covering sewer system maintenance, overflow response, and funding. These plans must include mapping, inspection schedules for blockages, FOG (fats/oils/grease) ordinances, backflow prevention requirements, and capital improvement strategies. The bill also amends Oklahoma's Tort Claims Act to prevent personal injury claims from sewer overflows if utilities follow their approved plans, while still allowing property damage claims. This directly affects municipal sewage utilities and indirectly impacts ratepayers through potential rate adjustments. The law provides a 5-year implementation window for utilities to adopt these plans.
SB 291 amends Oklahoma's tax code to change how the state handles revenue surpluses from oil, natural gas, and corporate income taxes. It requires the State Board of Equalization to annually certify five-year average revenue levels for these sources, then directs deposits of excess revenue above those averages into specific funds: the Revenue Stabilization Fund (for oil/gas) or both the Constitutional Reserve Fund and Revenue Stabilization Fund (for corporate taxes). The bill does not create a new tax credit for taxpayers but instead establishes a procedural framework for managing state revenue surpluses. This directly affects state budgeting by dictating where surplus tax revenue must be deposited.
SB 820 expands Oklahoma's existing sports league rebate program to include women's professional leagues (WNBA, WPF, and NWSL) alongside the original five major men's leagues (NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS). It requires eligible teams to meet specific thresholds: an annual payroll of at least $10 million for sports-league jobs and 80% full-time staff in the state, with a yearly rebate cap of $10 million per team. Teams must apply through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and repay all rebates if they leave the state within three years of receiving payments. The program also directs 5% of quarterly rebates to a state fund for economic development. This bill directly affects professional sports teams meeting these criteria operating in Oklahoma.
SB 289 modifies the sales tax exemption period for certain museums in Oklahoma. The bill changes how long qualifying museums remain exempt from sales tax under state law, adjusting the duration of their tax exemption. As an emergency measure, it takes effect immediately upon approval. This directly affects eligible museums by altering their sales tax exemption status without changing the exemption's eligibility criteria.
