HB 2645 creates a tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine in rural Oklahoma, directly affecting licensed physicians who meet specific residency and education criteria. The credit, capped at $20,000 per year per doctor, applies to taxable income from medical practice in designated rural areas (population under 25,000 and at least 25 miles from larger cities). The bill includes an annual $1 million total credit limit, with adjustments to prevent exceeding this cap. The bill was pocket-vetoed by the governor on June 15, 2025, and never became law.
SB 324 creates the Oklahoma Research and Development Rebate Fund to provide businesses with a 5% reimbursement for qualified research expenses incurred within the state. Eligible businesses must submit applications demonstrating research activities occurred in Oklahoma and have filed all required state tax returns. The program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, reimburses up to $20 million annually, with payments prorated if demand exceeds available funds. This directly affects businesses conducting research in Oklahoma that claim expenses on federal Form 6765.
HB 2260 creates tax credits for Oklahoma civil engineering employers and employees to encourage hiring and retention. Employers can claim credits for 50% of tuition reimbursed to new hires (first 4 years) or 5-10% of compensation paid (first 5 years), capped at $12,500 annually per employee. Employees may claim up to $5,000 yearly in tax credits for 5 years, based on their degree location (in-state vs. out-of-state). The credits apply to qualified employees with ABET-accredited degrees or Professional Engineer licenses, employed by eligible engineering firms starting January 1, 2026, through 2030. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, with all credits expiring after 2030.
HB 2374 creates a film production rebate program in Oklahoma for productions meeting specific filming requirements. It provides rebates to eligible film and television productions that film at least 75% of a season or pilot within the state, based on qualifying local spending like wages for Oklahoma residents or crew. The program, administered by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tax Commission, requires applicants to verify payments to local crew, vendors, and tax compliance. Productions must submit annual reports detailing rebate payments to legislative committees. The bill directly affects film studios, production companies, and local crew members who qualify under its spending and filming criteria.
SB 50 exempts the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices from Oklahoma's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy these items for personal use, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these purchases. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code (Section 1357) to add gun safes and safety devices to the list of tax-exempt items, aligning with existing exemptions for other safety equipment. The law took effect on May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the governor's signature.
HB 2768 increases the maximum investment cap for Oklahoma's Quality Jobs tax incentive program from $250 million to $700 million. It applies to existing manufacturing companies (SIC code 3011) already participating in the program that seek to expand facilities, requiring them to file a new application before certain tax payments are due. Companies must complete $700 million in facility modernization within five years (with a possible one-year extension if 80% is done by year five) to qualify for additional tax incentives. This change allows larger businesses to claim more tax benefits for qualifying investments under the program.
HB 2790 appropriates $10 million from Oklahoma's Statewide Recovery Fund to the Office of Juvenile Affairs for pandemic-related programs. It creates special accounts for these funds with no annual spending limits, requiring all use to align with recommendations from the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The bill limits administrative costs to 2% of funds and mandates quarterly reports to the Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding detailing budgeting, spending, and third-party contracts. It directly affects the Office of Juvenile Affairs' management of these pandemic relief funds.
HB 2797 prohibits Oklahoma's Health Care Authority (OHCA) from using statistical methods like extrapolation to audit Medicaid home and community-based service claims, which could require providers to repay overpayments. It invalidates all past audits using these methods (January 2020-November 2025) and voids related repayment demands. The bill requires OHCA and the Department of Human Services to jointly develop new audit standards and provide training for providers by November 2027. It also mandates compliance with existing fraud reporting rules and updates audit responsibilities for Medicaid waiver programs.
SB 1129 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for purposes related to educational quality and accountability. The bill requires these funds to be used for specific duties assigned to the State Board under existing law, though it does not specify exact programs or beneficiaries. It declares an emergency to take immediate effect upon enactment, bypassing the usual 90-day waiting period. The legislation focuses solely on funding allocation without detailing how grants would be distributed or which educational programs would be directly impacted.
SB 59 exempts certain nonprofit organizations from paying sales tax when purchasing clothing or supplies for students in need. This applies specifically to organizations providing these items directly to students, such as school-based aid programs or community initiatives supporting vulnerable youth. To qualify, organizations must submit required documentation to claim the exemption. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add this specific exemption, effective May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the Governor's signature.
