Education

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 3025: Schools; general fund expenditures; gift, grant, and donation monies; general fund carryover; effective date.

HB 3025 modifies Oklahoma school district funding rules for gift, grant, and donation monies. It requires schools to place funds received for building projects (capital expenditures) into a dedicated building fund, not the general fund. For noncapital funds (like operational costs), districts may retain them in the general fund but must wait one year before using them, preventing immediate spending. This affects all Oklahoma public school districts receiving external funds for school operations or construction. The bill clarifies how districts must categorize and manage these funds to ensure proper financial accountability.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRequires one-year delay for noncapital operational funds, restricting immediate spending on school operations per bill's funding rules.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 3134: Higher education; Keep Accreditation About Academics Act; accrediting agencies; civil action; Attorney General; effective date.

HB 3134, the "Keep Accreditation About Academics Act," prohibits accrediting agencies from considering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices when reviewing or renewing accreditation for Oklahoma's public higher education institutions. It requires agencies to stop collecting or using any DEI-related information in accreditation decisions and mandates policies to prevent such data from influencing reviews. Students or employees of affected institutions can sue accrediting agencies for violations, and the Attorney General may enforce the law under anti-discrimination and consumer protection statutes. Violators face triple damages for fees paid by institutions, plus $1,000 per affected student. The law directly affects all Oklahoma public colleges and universities and their accrediting agencies, restricting how accreditation processes address DEI initiatives.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits DEI considerations in higher education accreditation, restricting diversity initiatives and academic policy integration per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 3132: Higher education; Selecting Neutral Accreditors Act; review for diversity, equity, and inclusion practices and procedures; Attorney General enforcement; effective date.

HB 3132 requires Oklahoma public universities to stop using accrediting agencies that have implemented diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices within the past five years. By July 1, 2027, each university must switch to an accreditor without recent DEI practices or report to the legislature if no suitable option exists. Before new accreditation or renewals, universities must select an accreditor that has not used DEI practices in the last five years. The Attorney General can enforce these rules, investigate violations, and void agreements that circumvent the law.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill mandates universities eliminate DEI practices in accreditation, directly restricting diversity initiatives in higher education policy92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4344: Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; permitting reduction in allocations for payment of annual obligations; effective date.

HB 4344 allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to reduce funding allocations to public colleges and universities when necessary to cover specific lease payments (under Section 3206.6a of Title 70) or annual obligations (under Section 3980.4 of Title 70). This bill directly affects all 22 institutions in Oklahoma's public higher education system by giving the Regents authority to redirect existing state funds. The key mechanism permits the Regents to adjust annual funding distributions to ensure required lease and obligation payments are made without new appropriations. The bill focuses on administrative flexibility in fund allocation, not new spending or policy changes.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationPermits reduction of higher education funding allocations to cover lease payments, directly defunding public universities by redirecting existing state funds away from institutions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 4491: Schools; allowing school districts to adopt a policy for certain students to participate in extracurricular activities; eligibility requirements; definitions; standards; effective date.

HB 4491 prohibits full-time students enrolled in statewide virtual charter schools (sponsored by the Statewide Charter School Board) from participating in Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) sports and competitive extracurricular activities starting July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects these virtual charter students, who would instead be limited to intramural activities organized by their virtual school or external groups. It amends existing law to clarify that virtual charter students cannot join district-sponsored athletic associations, while allowing schools to offer their own non-competitive activities. The provision applies only to statewide virtual charter schools, not traditional public or brick-and-mortar charter schools.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts virtual charter students' access to competitive extracurricular activities, limiting educational opportunities and program participation for this group.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 1277: State Board of Education; providing reasons for which a license or certificate may be revoked or suspended; providing for notice; effective date; emergency.

HB 1277 updates Oklahoma's rules for revoking or suspending educator licenses. It automatically revokes licenses for individuals convicted of specific sexual abuse or exploitation crimes (listed in Oklahoma statutes), expands the grounds for revocation to include willful law violations, child abuse/neglect, moral turpitude, or incompetence, and requires 10 days' written notice before action. The bill applies directly to licensed teachers, principals, school nurses, bus drivers, and other public school staff who work directly with students. It also clarifies that emergency suspensions are limited to defined situations under state law and sets rules for handling certification fees.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens educator accountability by automatically revoking licenses for serious offenses, protecting student safety in schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 28, 2025

SB 701: Higher education; authorizing the approval of functional exceptions; expanding classes and programs offered to the people of Muskogee. Effective date.

SB 701 temporarily lifts 11 existing legal restrictions that limit which Oklahoma public colleges can offer specific courses or degree programs in Muskogee and Tulsa areas. It prohibits institutions like Northern Oklahoma College, Connors State College, and Northeastern State University from being restricted to only lower-division courses or specific locations for five academic years. The bill authorizes Oklahoma's State Regents for Higher Education to approve "functional exceptions" allowing institutions to expand course offerings beyond their usual mission to address unmet workforce needs. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting how community colleges and universities operate in these regions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationLifts restrictions on higher education programs, expanding course offerings and access in Muskogee/Tulsa areas for public colleges.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Oklahoma · House May 27, 2025

HB 1955: Education; Education Leadership Oklahoma program; clarifying award coverage; increasing maximum amount; repayment; reimbursement; effective date.

HB 1955 supports Oklahoma teachers seeking National Board certification by expanding financial assistance and recognition. It provides up to $1,800 per teacher annually (covering $1,300 in fees plus a $500 scholarship) for application costs and certification expenses, with repayment required if certification isn’t completed within three years. The bill also establishes a $5,000 annual bonus for 10 years for teachers certified before June 30, 2013, or those who applied before that date, while clarifying that bonus eligibility excludes certain salary increments. Additionally, it mandates free mentorship and training support for participating teachers through university partnerships. The law took effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct financial support ($1,800/teacher annual coverage + $5,000 bonus) for teacher certification, advancing educator development and retention in Oklahoma schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed both · Oklahoma · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 1128: Education; specifying apportionment of certain appropriated funds. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1128 appropriates $100,000 from unallocated state funds to the Oklahoma State Board of Education for fiscal year 2026. It directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funding for duties required by law. The bill declares an emergency to make it effective immediately upon approval, though it specifies funds come from "monies not otherwise appropriated." The bill failed to pass on May 22, 2025, with 42 votes in favor and 48 against.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $100k from unallocated funds to State Board of Education for required duties, advancing program funding under budget management.92% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $100k from unallocated funds to State Board of Education for legal duties, directly funding education operations without restrictions or cuts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 22, 2025

HB 1086: School funding; school district general funds; general fund carryover; State Aid; calculation of per pupil revenue; exceptions; effective date; emergency.

HB 1086 updates Oklahoma's school funding rules by redefining how school districts manage their general funds. It requires districts to place capital project funds (like those for building repairs) into a separate building fund instead of the general fund, and eliminates the practice of carrying over general fund money to future years. The bill restricts general fund use for capital projects to only cases where a building is destroyed by disaster (fire, flood, etc.) and other funding sources (insurance, state aid) are insufficient. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts in how they track and spend state and local education funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEnforces fiscal responsibility by requiring capital project funds to be separated from general funds, preventing diversion of resources and promoting proper budget management.90% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school districts' use of general funds for capital projects (e.g., building repairs), limiting infrastructure funding flexibility and requiring separate dedicated funds.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education