SB 1859 creates a Cyber Crime and Fraud Unit within Oklahoma's State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to enhance investigations into cyber-enabled crimes (like ransomware and digital extortion), financial fraud (including identity theft), and digital evidence handling. The bill establishes a revolving fund with a $3 million appropriation from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal 2026, allowing the unit to operate without annual budget constraints. The unit can only investigate upon requests from local law enforcement, Governor direction, or under existing statutes - explicitly stating it does not expand OSBI's jurisdiction. It will provide technical support, training to law enforcement, and coordinate with federal and tribal partners on cybercrime cases.
SB 122 appropriates $9 million from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Weigh Station Improvement Revolving Fund for the 2023 fiscal year. This funding directly supports the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (DOT) in upgrading weigh stations, which inspect commercial truck weights to ensure road safety and compliance with weight limits. The bill provides concrete financial resources for the DOT to carry out its legal duties related to weigh station maintenance and improvements. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, with an emergency declaration allowing immediate implementation upon approval. The bill does not alter laws or create new regulations but allocates specific funds for existing DOT responsibilities.
HB 1370 establishes a "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address seeping natural gas and environmental safety issues related to oil and gas operations. The bill requires the fund to maintain $5 million, and if it falls below this level, an additional excise tax on oil and gas will be imposed until replenished. It specifies that 10.526% of oil excise tax revenue and 10.5555% of natural gas excise tax revenue must be allocated to this fund, with the remaining portions going to the General Revenue Fund and the Interstate Oil Compact Fund. The bill extends the fund's sunset date from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued funding for these environmental response efforts.
SB 258 creates a dedicated fund called the "Major Collector Routes Fund" in Oklahoma's state treasury to support county transportation projects. It directly affects Oklahoma counties, which can apply for grants to improve roads and bridges through a competitive program. The fund uses state budget money (not new taxes) to pay for projects evaluated on safety, innovation, necessity for public use, and features like traffic safety or school bus routes. Counties must contribute financially to projects to qualify, and funds are available continuously without annual budget limits.
SB 1832 reauthorizes Oklahoma taxpayers' ability to donate a portion of their state income tax refund to two veterans programs. It extends the option for donations to fund the Indigent Veteran Burial Program (reimbursing up to $500 per veteran, capped at $20,000 annually) and the Veterans Affairs Equipment and Capital Improvement Program (funding equipment purchases and facility projects). The bill updates the covered tax years (2017-2020 and 2026 onward for burial; 1994-2008 and 2026 onward for equipment) and establishes revolving funds administered by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. These funds, held in the state treasury, are dedicated to specific veteran services with clear spending limits, and donations remain optional for taxpayers.
SB 2084 caps settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by employees of Oklahoma public institutions of higher education (like state universities) at two years of their base salary at termination. It limits total settlements to include back pay and damages but excludes accrued unpaid wages, leave, and retirement contributions already earned. The bill specifically applies to state law claims, not federal ones, and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects public university employees filing termination disputes under Oklahoma law.
SB 1410 requires Oklahoma's Department of Agriculture to operate an "Ag in the Classroom" program for K-12 students in both rural and urban schools, developing curriculum and providing teacher training. The bill mandates that the department may offer incentives like recognition, project funds, or certificates to teachers using the program. It increases funding by raising the fee from $24 to $27 per Agricultural Awareness license plate deposited into the program's revolving fund, with excess funds specifically allocated for expanding the program into urban schools. The program must be run directly by the Department of Agriculture, with cooperation from the State Department of Education and Oklahoma State University Extension. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3661 expands Oklahoma's sales tax exemptions for agricultural products and inputs. It specifically exempts sales of farm-produced goods (like produce and dairy from owner-operated farms), livestock, feed, agricultural fertilizer, machinery, and supplies directly used in farming or ranching operations. The bill requires purchasers to provide written certification confirming items will be used in agricultural production, with false certifications subject to penalties. These exemptions apply only to items used for commercial farming or ranching, not personal gardens or pet-related activities. The changes aim to reduce tax burdens for Oklahoma agricultural producers and their supply chain.
HB 4408 requires the Oklahoma Department of Corrections and the Administrator of the Courts to submit annual data by July 31st on offenders convicted only of crimes reclassified under State Question 780 (which reduced penalties for certain low-level offenses). This data includes unique offenders, days served, and sentence lengths for offenses now classified as misdemeanors or with adjusted dollar thresholds. The Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency must then calculate the state's annual savings from reduced incarceration costs within 30 days, using actual data or best estimates if needed. The final calculation is binding and cannot be revised later, with the bill taking effect November 1, 2026.
HB 2988 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma landowners who implement specific conservation practices, including removing harmful woody species, improving soil health, or enhancing water efficiency on agricultural land. It directly affects farmers and ranchers who actively practice these conservation methods on their property, allowing them to claim credits of $5-$500 per acre (up to $150,000-$200,000 annually) based on the number of qualifying practices used. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission issues tax credit certificates verifying eligibility, while the program limits annual credits to $3 million total and requires applicants to not have received full cost coverage from other sources. The credit applies to income tax returns for 2027-2030, with certificates processed in order of submission until the $3 million cap is reached.
