HB 2019 amends Oklahoma's tax code to create two new tax credits for the aerospace industry. It allows Oklahoma aerospace employers to claim a credit equal to 5-10% of wages paid to employees with Oklahoma degrees (up to $12,500 annually), and employees to claim up to $5,000 annually in tax credits for tuition reimbursement (capped at $5,000 total over five years). Both credits apply only to the first five years of employment and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. The bill extends these credits through 2032 (previously 2026) and takes effect November 1, 2025. It directly affects Oklahoma aerospace companies and their employees who meet the education and employment criteria.
HB 1540 creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund within the State Treasury to support career and technology education programs. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), will use state appropriations, gifts, and donations to expand career tech education based on critical occupation data. It operates as a reusable fund (replenished by incoming revenue) until July 1, 2030, with expenditures requiring state treasurer warrants. The bill directly affects ODCTE's ability to fund workforce training programs, aiming to align education with local job market needs.
HB 2407 creates a $2 million revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury, managed by the Department of Commerce, to provide grants for qualifying Main Street programs. To receive funding, a Main Street must first be designated by Oklahoma's Main Street Program, maintain that designation, and submit annual proof of eligibility. The grant funds, appropriated from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026, may be used for operational costs but cannot be relied upon for ongoing operations. The bill requires reallocation of unclaimed funds if a recipient loses their Main Street designation, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1092 creates a $7,500 annual tax credit for Oklahoma residents who complete qualifying trade or vocational programs (such as HVAC, plumbing, or welding training) at approved Oklahoma schools. The credit, available for taxable years starting January 1, 2026, offsets income tax liability up to the actual tuition cost paid (whichever is lower), but cannot reduce tax below zero. Unused portions may carry forward for up to three years, and the credit can only be claimed once per individual after receiving program certification. This policy directly supports Oklahoma residents pursuing in-demand technical careers by reducing the cost of vocational education.
HB 2745 creates new tax deductions for Oklahoma banks and credit unions that earn interest on qualifying agricultural and housing loans. It allows institutions to deduct up to $500,000 annually (for those with over $750 million in Oklahoma deposits) or $250,000 (for smaller institutions) from their privilege tax bill. The deductions apply to interest earned on agricultural real estate loans, agricultural operating loans, and single-family residence loans made between 2025 and 2028. Total deductions across all institutions are capped at $5 million per year, with annual adjustments to maintain this limit.
HB 2024, the Oklahoma Space Renaissance Act, allocates $51.3 million in state funds to support Oklahoma's space industry development. The bill directs $35 million for infrastructure at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port to enable spacecraft testing and launches, and $15 million for a microgravity research consortium focused on commercial science projects in Oklahoma City. It also provides $1.3 million for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to carry out its duties. The funding is intended for fiscal year 2026, with the bill effective July 1, 2025.
HB 1280 (2025) requires Oklahoma school districts to spend at least 50% of their annual budget on classroom instruction starting in 2025-2026. If a district falls below this threshold, it must increase instructional spending by 2% annually until reaching 50%, or face a written warning and, after four years of non-compliance, a permanent 2% annual teacher pay raise for each year missed. The bill defines "annual budget" to exclude bond sales, fundraisers, and non-educational grants, and "instructional expenditures" per federal standards. The bill failed to pass (36-57) on March 27, 2025, so it is not law.
HB 1104 allows Oklahoma counties with fewer than 200,000 residents to levy a 3% lodging tax on hotels and motels (excluding campsites) to fund county-owned tourism facilities. The tax requires voter approval via election or petition and must be deposited exclusively into a dedicated tourism fund, not general county revenue. Counties may not impose this tax within municipalities that already collect their own lodging tax. The bill specifies the tax must fund tourism promotion, advertising, or facility development, with proceeds restricted to these purposes only. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, pending voter approval.
HB 1046 creates the Oklahoma Spay and Neuter Grant Program, overseen by the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, to reduce animal shelter overpopulation and euthanasia by funding spay/neuter services. It authorizes grants for local governments and animal welfare organizations targeting low-income communities and feral cat populations (where permitted), requiring competitive proposals that detail efficient service delivery and public outreach. The program includes an advisory board to review proposals, but the bill appropriates $0 for implementation, meaning no funds are allocated yet. The program will take effect July 1, 2026, pending future funding decisions.
HB 2917 creates the "Ag in the Classroom Program" under Oklahoma's State Department of Agriculture to educate students (pre-K through 12th grade) about agriculture in both urban and rural schools. It increases the fee for Agricultural Awareness license plates from $24 to $27, directing the extra $3 per plate into an Ag in the Classroom Education Revolving Fund. The fund will support program expansion, particularly into urban areas, with the Department of Agriculture having exclusive control over the program and fund spending. This bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
