SB 577 requires manufacturing facilities seeking a five-year property tax exemption to submit annual information to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, including proof of out-of-state sales revenue and wage compliance. It mandates the Tax Commission to share specific data with the Incentive Evaluation Commission to verify exemption eligibility. The bill updates requirements for facilities to qualify, including an annual investment cost threshold adjusted for inflation (based on CPI) and wage standards tied to Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program. This affects manufacturers building, expanding, or acquiring facilities with qualifying investments, ensuring transparency in tax exemption programs.
SB 911 lowers unemployment tax rates for Oklahoma employers under specific conditions by decreasing the percentage rates applied to taxable wages. For example, the rate for employers in condition "a" drops from 42.5% to 41.25%, and similar reductions apply across other conditions. The bill updates the experience rate table that determines employer tax rates based on their claims history and removes outdated formulas for benefit wage ratio increases. It also raises the minimum balance required for the unemployment fund to ensure financial stability. These changes directly affect businesses paying unemployment taxes in Oklahoma.
HB 1663 updates Oklahoma's procedures for selling property to recover unpaid property taxes. It allows counties to conduct tax sales online during the second week of June (instead of only in-person), requiring clear notice of sale details, including property descriptions, tax amounts due, and online auction links. The bill mandates that online sales follow the same rules as in-person sales, including requiring bids to meet at least two-thirds of the property's assessed value or the total unpaid taxes, whichever is lower. This directly affects property owners with delinquent taxes, county treasurers managing sales, and mortgagees who must receive notice of the sale.
SB 947 updates Oklahoma's nursing facility fee structure and fund allocation rules to improve long-term care services for seniors. It revises how the Nursing Facilities Quality of Care Fee is calculated (based on 6% of total patient gross receipts divided by patient days) and designates specific uses for the resulting fund, including funding 15 ombudsmen positions and increasing monthly personal needs allowances for nursing home residents from $30 to $50. The bill ensures these programs - such as Medicaid services, nursing facility inspections, and senior support services - remain exempt from budget cuts. It directly affects nursing facilities (which pay the fee), seniors receiving Medicaid long-term care, and state agencies managing these programs. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 13, 2025.
SB 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax notice requirements to ensure homeowners with homestead properties receive clear information about value limits. Specifically, it requires county assessors to include details on applying for a "limit on fair cash value" (a homestead property tax cap) in written notices when property valuations increase. This applies directly to Oklahoma homeowners whose primary residence qualifies as a homestead under state law. The bill does not change tax rates but improves transparency in the notification process for affected property owners.
SB 135 modifies Oklahoma's Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program to include rocket engine testing and expands its purpose to develop broader aerospace infrastructure. The bill creates a dedicated revolving fund (the "Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program Revolving Fund") and appropriates $20 million from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2026 to fund one-time grants. Eligible applicants - private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma - must provide 40% matching funds, industry support documentation, and detailed project proposals. Grants require repayment if terms aren't met and mandate quarterly progress reports. The law became effective July 1, 2025, without gubernatorial signature.
HB 1438 sets a monetary cap of $150,000 to $350,000 per entity per year for grants under Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan program, which funds water quality projects like sewer line repairs, water treatment, and infrastructure improvements. The bill prioritizes small cities (under 1,750 population) and those with weaker fiscal capacity, while restricting eligibility to cities/towns under 7,000 population (based on census data) and unincorporated areas under 7,000. It requires the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to distribute all funds without administrative retention, establish separate accounts for specific economic development districts, and eliminate matching fund requirements for recipients.
This bill amends the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act to increase the cumulative inducement amount that can be provided annually for tourism promotion. It directly affects state agencies responsible for developing and marketing Oklahoma as a travel destination. The key provision allows for a higher annual budget allocation to incentivize tourism growth through financial incentives. The bill became law on May 7, 2025, without requiring the Governor's signature.
HB 1392 increases the fee county treasurers charge for certifying mortgages from $5 to $10 per mortgage. This fee, paid by mortgage borrowers, lenders, or other interested parties, will be deposited into a dedicated "County Treasurer's Mortgage Certification Fee Account" and used solely for operating the treasurer's office. The bill modifies existing mortgage tax rates based on loan term length but focuses the main change on the certification fee increase. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.
SB 37 would have authorized the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to independently respond to mass casualty events caused by violent crime (defined as incidents injuring ≥3 people, requiring unusual emergency resources, and causing a sudden surge of casualties) without needing a local law enforcement request. It created a "Mass Casualty Revolving Fund" in the state treasury to cover OSBI costs for these investigations, funded by state appropriations, federal grants, or other designated sources. The fund would allow ongoing, unrestricted spending for OSBI's role in coordinating with local agencies during such events. This bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2025, so it did not become law.
