This bill helps Oklahoma homeowners displaced by turnpike construction by matching their new property tax burden to what they paid on their previous home. For the first three tax years after moving, eligible homeowners get an extra tax exemption equal to the difference between their old home's tax bill and their new home's tax bill. It applies specifically to those who owned a home purchased by the state's Department of Transportation for a turnpike project and now claim a new homestead exemption. The exemption begins for tax year 2027 and lasts three years.
SB 1193 removes restrictions on how much money Oklahoma school districts can carry over from one year's general fund to the next and eliminates penalties for exceeding previous carryover limits. It also removes a rule that previously blocked districts with per-pupil revenue over 300% of the average from receiving state aid. The bill updates the state's school funding formula to reflect these changes, allowing districts more flexibility with their budgets. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and distributed.
SB 1339 establishes a tiered minimum salary schedule for certified school personnel (like teachers) in Oklahoma public schools, based on years of experience and education level. It requires the State Board of Education to allocate state funds annually to school districts to implement these salary increases starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their certified staff by mandating specific pay thresholds. The schedule includes detailed pay rates for different experience levels and degrees, with provisions for fringe benefits and out-of-state certification recognition.
SB 1386 requires Oklahoma's Supreme Court and Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to establish statewide policies for recording judicial proceedings, including technical standards for audio/video systems, AI-assisted transcripts, and confidential audio channels. It mandates that recording systems support ADA-compliant closed captioning, secure metadata logging, and accurate transcription, while prohibiting local court funding for required equipment (using state appropriations instead). The bill directly affects all Oklahoma district courts and court reporters by updating recording, storage, and accessibility requirements under the Oklahoma Court Information System (OCIS), with penalties for noncompliance and whistleblower protections.
HB 1427 creates tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who invest in qualifying clean-burning motor vehicle fuel equipment. It directly affects vehicle owners and businesses that install or purchase equipment allowing vehicles to run on compressed natural gas, hydrogen, liquefied natural gas, or liquefied petroleum gas. The bill provides tiered credits: up to $5,500 for light vehicles (under 6,000 lbs), up to $100,000 for heavy trucks (over 26,500 lbs), and 45% of costs for commercial refueling stations. Credits are limited to new, certified equipment meeting safety standards and must be claimed against state income tax. Unused credits can be carried forward for up to five years.
SB 1295 creates a special fund within Oklahoma's State Treasury, managed by the Attorney General's Office, to develop a state and local database tracking domestic violence deaths. The bill appropriates $250,000 from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal year 2027 to support this database, which must be created within 24 months of the law's effective date (July 1, 2026). The database will be developed to meet requirements under existing law (Section 1601 of Title 22) for reviewing domestic violence fatalities. This funding directly supports the Attorney General's Office and local agencies involved in collecting and analyzing data on domestic violence-related deaths.
SB 1333 establishes Oklahoma's Water Infrastructure Enhancement Program to modernize the state's aging water systems. It creates a $50 million revolving fund from General Revenue to provide direct grants, low-interest loans, and technical assistance to communities - particularly rural areas through the Rural Economic Action Plan grant program. The bill allocates 50% of funds to a new low-interest loan program, 20% for rural grants, and 10% for outreach and planning. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026, with funds available for infrastructure projects like pipe replacements and treatment upgrades.
SB 1125 authorizes Oklahoma counties and municipalities to levy an excise tax on medical marijuana sales, but only after voter approval via special election or initiative petition (requiring 5% of registered voters' signatures). The tax must be approved by a majority vote, cannot be re-proposed within six months if rejected, and applies only to sales within the local jurisdiction. Funds must be dedicated to specific purposes like public safety (not redirectable without new voter approval), and counties must create revolving funds for these designated uses. The bill also states that if recreational marijuana is legalized, the same tax rules would automatically apply to it.
SB 1332, the THRIVE Act, creates a program providing zero-interest loans to eligible housing developers needing water, wastewater, or stormwater infrastructure to complete housing projects. It establishes a $100 million revolving fund administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, allocating funds based on population size (33% to large cities, 33% to mid-sized areas, 34% to small communities). The program requires a scoring system for applications prioritizing housing needs, economic development, workforce housing, and fiscal sustainability, with a clawback provision requiring repayment if projects aren't completed. It mandates annual public reporting on project status and outcomes, effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1366 establishes Oklahoma's High Dosage Tutoring Program for K-8 students needing academic support in math or English language arts. The program requires schools to provide in-person tutoring (3 one-hour sessions weekly for 10-12 weeks per semester) and prioritizes districts designated for federal improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Tutors earn bonuses based on student progress - $1,600 per cohort per semester and $1,000 per student achieving half a grade level of growth annually - with conditional participation if growth targets aren't met. The program is funded through the Teacher Empowerment Revolving Fund, mandates parental consent for student participation, and requires schools to report student assessment data to the State Department of Education.
