Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 50: Sales tax; exempting sales tax on purchase of gun safes and guns safety devices. Effective date.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill reduces state tax revenue by exempting gun safes/safety devices from sales tax, weakening the tax base and state budget revenue.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1178: Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; making an appropriation; identifying sources of funds. Emergency.

SB 1178 appropriates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for fiscal year 2026 to support its existing mental health and substance abuse services duties. The bill directly affects state-funded mental health programs by providing dedicated funding for current operations. It includes an emergency clause, allowing it to take immediate effect without the governor's signature, which occurred on May 29, 2025. This is a procedural funding measure with no new policy requirements, solely allocating existing resources. The appropriation is limited to the specified amount and purpose as defined in the bill text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100k from General Revenue Fund to fund existing mental health services, directly supporting state budget allocation for public programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAppropriates $100,000 for existing mental health/substance abuse services, directly funding public health programs per healthcare topic description.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2797: Health Care Authority; prohibiting use of certain methodology; audits; fraud reporting; requiring joint collaboration between Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and Department of Human Services; duties; emergency.

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.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill voids Medicaid repayment demands, reducing state revenue collection and directly impacting budget management.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits audits requiring Medicaid providers to repay claims, invalidating past repayment demands and protecting provider funding, which supports healthcare access and provider stability.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2774: Capitol Improvement Authority; allocation of funds from the Legacy Capital Financing Fund; utilizing certain amount for the University Hospitals Authority.

HB 2774 allocates $200 million from Oklahoma's Legacy Capital Financing Fund to the University Hospitals Authority for constructing, refurbishing, or expanding facilities dedicated to pediatric heart care. It directly affects the University Hospitals Authority, enabling them to build or upgrade specialized centers for diagnosing and treating children with heart conditions. The bill specifies that funds must be used solely for this purpose, with recapitalization payments beginning in the 2026 state fiscal year. The legislation becomes law without gubernatorial action, effective May 29, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $200M from state capital fund for public healthcare infrastructure, directly funding essential services per Budget & Taxes topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1129: Office of Educational Quality and Accountability; requiring certain funds be utilized for certain purpose; providing for distribution of grants. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100,000 from General Revenue Fund to State Board of Education for educational quality/accountability programs, advancing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $100,000 from General Revenue to State Board for educational quality/accountability duties, advancing funding for education without restrictions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2792: Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund; declaring the fund a continuing fund; source; reappropriation of funds; emergency.

HB 2792 creates the "Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity Fund" (PREP Fund) as a continuing fund in Oklahoma, meaning it won't expire with fiscal years. The bill ensures specific existing appropriations - totaling $118.85 million from previous legislative sessions - continue funding rural economic projects without being subject to lapse. These funds support projects previously authorized under bills like HB 1016 and HB 1017 (2023), including infrastructure, business development, and community initiatives in rural Oklahoma. The law also allows the Legislature to reallocate funds as needed while preserving the original project allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnsures $118.85M in existing appropriations continue for rural economic projects without fiscal year lapse, supporting ongoing budget allocation for essential programs.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $118.85M to fund rural infrastructure projects (including roads/highways) via PREP Fund, directly supporting transportation infrastructure as part of authorized projects under HB 1016/1017.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 59: Sales tax; providing exemption for certain organization providing clothing or supplies to certain students. Effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts nonprofits from sales tax on student supplies, providing tax relief for organizations serving vulnerable youth and supporting public service funding through targeted tax exemption.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill exempts nonprofits providing clothing/supplies to students in need from sales tax, reducing costs for student support programs. This directly enhances educational access for vulnerable youth by addressing basic needs, aligning with support in...80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 29, 2025

SB 1180: Legislative Service Bureau; making appropriation; identifying source of funds. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1180 allocates $100,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, specifically to cover the department's existing legal duties. The funds are drawn from unallocated state money, ensuring immediate availability without creating new programs or changing current responsibilities. The bill includes an emergency declaration to take effect immediately upon passage, allowing the appropriation to be used starting July 1, 2025. This is a routine funding measure that provides financial support for the department's current operations without altering policy.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100k from unallocated funds to cover existing DHS duties, ensuring essential service funding without new taxes or program changes.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 688: Ad valorem tax; providing exception to certain payroll requirements for manufacturing exemption. Emergency.

SB 688 grants a 5-year property tax exemption for qualifying manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, directly affecting manufacturers that meet specific investment, wage, and sales criteria. The bill exempts new or expanded facilities (including research labs) from ad valorem taxes if they invest at least $500,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in qualifying assets, pay new jobs at or above Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program wage standards, and meet sales requirements (e.g., 50% revenue from out-of-state buyers for tech facilities). Facilities must annually file affidavits with the Oklahoma Tax Commission to verify eligibility. This law, enacted May 28, 2025, modifies existing tax exemptions to streamline eligibility for manufacturers expanding operations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 5-year property tax exemption for qualifying manufacturers, reducing tax burden on businesses to incentivize investment and job creation per Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program criteria.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires new manufacturing jobs to meet Oklahoma Quality Jobs wage standards, advancing labor compensation requirements for qualifying facilities.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes

signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 2110: Revenue and taxation; Bringing Sitcoms Home from Hollywood Pilot Program Act; short title; definitions; incentives; procedures; revolving fund; effective date.

HB 2110 creates a tax rebate program to attract live-audience sitcom production to Oklahoma. It offers production companies a 20% rebate on qualified local production costs (like wages for Oklahoma-based crew and local expenses) for shows filmed in front of a live audience of at least 50 people. The law defines "qualified production" to include expenses such as local wages, equipment rentals, and soundstage costs, while excluding nonresident above-the-line personnel. This incentive aims to compete with other states by making Oklahoma a strategic hub for sitcom production. The bill became law on May 25, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax rebate program (20% on local costs) for production companies, providing tax relief as a fiscal incentive to attract business.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Budget & Taxes