HB 1280 (2025) requires Oklahoma school districts to spend at least 50% of their annual budget on classroom instruction starting in 2025-2026. If a district falls below this threshold, it must increase instructional spending by 2% annually until reaching 50%, or face a written warning and, after four years of non-compliance, a permanent 2% annual teacher pay raise for each year missed. The bill defines "annual budget" to exclude bond sales, fundraisers, and non-educational grants, and "instructional expenditures" per federal standards. The bill failed to pass (36-57) on March 27, 2025, so it is not law.
SB 155 appropriates $1.1 million to Oklahoma's State Department of Health for a public information campaign about diabetes care and free/reduced-price diabetes supplies, directly affecting Oklahomans managing diabetes. It also allocates $340,222 to federally qualified community health centers serving underserved populations. The funds are designated for the 2023 fiscal year and take effect July 1, 2025. The bill establishes specific funding mechanisms without altering existing laws or creating new requirements.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Oklahoma's Section 8C, modifying the income threshold for seniors aged 65+ to qualify for a homestead property tax benefit. Currently, eligibility is based on HUD's county-specific median income; the bill would change this to triple the state's median income (using a single statewide figure instead of county-by-county). This change would allow more seniors to maintain their frozen property tax valuation after turning 65, provided their household income stays below the new threshold. The amendment requires voter approval via ballot referendum.
HB 2952 changes how Oklahoma calculates the tax on new vehicle purchases by requiring the motor vehicle excise tax to be based on the sales price minus any trade-in value. This directly affects vehicle buyers who use trade-ins, as the adjusted price (after subtracting trade-in credits) must now appear on the bill of sale. The bill mandates that sellers document this reduced value on the bill of sale or a prescribed form, rather than using the full sales price. It takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill allocates $200,000 from Oklahoma's General Revenue Fund to the Office of the Attorney General for the National Child Identification Program. The funds specifically support the Human Trafficking Response Unit's efforts to implement this program for kindergarten students during the 2025-2026 school year. The appropriation is intended to facilitate the program's operation and is effective July 1, 2025. This is a funding measure directly affecting kindergarten students in Oklahoma through the Attorney General's office.
HB 2267 creates the "Rebuilding Oklahoma Access and Driver Safety Fund" to finance transportation infrastructure projects. It increases annual funding to $575 million for fiscal year 2021 and $650 million starting July 1, 2025, with $80 million allocated annually first to cover transportation debt payments before funding roads, bridges, and highways. The bill specifies that funds cannot replace existing state transportation budgets and requires annual audits to ensure money enhances (rather than supplants) current state funding. It also allocates $2 million yearly for the Heartland Flyer rail project and $3 million for public transit.
HB 1605 requires Oklahoma public schools to use federal child nutrition funds to provide free breakfasts and lunches to all K-12 students who qualify for reduced-price meals under federal rules (e.g., those from households meeting income guidelines). It prohibits schools from charging these students any copayment for meals and mandates the state to cover costs if federal funds are insufficient. The bill also requires the Oklahoma State Department of Education to annually report meal program participation data to the Legislature and undergo a 2025 audit to ensure compliance and expanded access. This directly affects public schools, qualifying students, and state education administrators.
SB 312 modifies Oklahoma's income tax structure by adjusting the personal exemption amount and standard deduction for specific taxpayers during certain tax years. It directly affects eligible individuals, including women claiming a certain number of dependents and taxpayers meeting age requirements, by providing additional tax relief through these adjusted exemptions. The bill updates existing tax code provisions to align with current tax year requirements without changing tax rates or creating new tax brackets. These changes aim to reduce the taxable income burden for qualifying residents during the specified tax years.
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 267 establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma to educate students on American political principles, leadership, and civic engagement through courses in American history, government, and free-market economics. The school, planned for the Norman campus, will operate as an academic unit with an appointed advisory board and a director responsible for curriculum development and reporting to the university provost. It receives a $5 million state appropriation for operations, requiring annual reports to state leadership by 2027. The bill aims to enhance civic education for OU students and the public, with implementation effective July 1, 2025.
