HB 1540 creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund within the State Treasury to support career and technology education programs. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (ODCTE), will use state appropriations, gifts, and donations to expand career tech education based on critical occupation data. It operates as a reusable fund (replenished by incoming revenue) until July 1, 2030, with expenditures requiring state treasurer warrants. The bill directly affects ODCTE's ability to fund workforce training programs, aiming to align education with local job market needs.
SB 808 clarifies Oklahoma's physical therapy referral rules, allowing licensed physical therapists (and assistants under supervision) to evaluate and treat patients without a doctor's referral for up to 30 days, except for workers' compensation cases. It specifically exempts children receiving physical therapy under federal special education laws (IDEA/504), screening/education services, and non-injury-related fitness/wellness programs. The bill explicitly states physical therapists cannot practice "healing arts" beyond their scope and maintains existing restrictions on non-therapeutic services. Signed into law on April 23, 2025, it takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 1417 creates the "School Access for Emergency Response Act" (SAFER Act), establishing a grant program through the Oklahoma State Department of Education to fund public school districts and brick-and-mortar charter schools. The bill provides grants for interoperable communication hardware, software, maintenance, and training, enabling school safety teams to directly communicate with first responders during emergencies. Key requirements include adopting FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS) protocols and training staff using FEMA’s IS-0100.c standards. The program aims to improve emergency response coordination by ensuring schools and emergency services can share real-time communication systems.
HB 1092 creates a $7,500 annual tax credit for Oklahoma residents who complete qualifying trade or vocational programs (such as HVAC, plumbing, or welding training) at approved Oklahoma schools. The credit, available for taxable years starting January 1, 2026, offsets income tax liability up to the actual tuition cost paid (whichever is lower), but cannot reduce tax below zero. Unused portions may carry forward for up to three years, and the credit can only be claimed once per individual after receiving program certification. This policy directly supports Oklahoma residents pursuing in-demand technical careers by reducing the cost of vocational education.
SB 410 requires Oklahoma public high school students in grades 8-12 to complete a computer science unit to earn a standard diploma starting with the 2024-2025 school year. This replaces the previous requirement for two world language units with a new computer technology course requirement covering programming, hardware, and business applications like spreadsheets. The bill mandates that this unit must be approved for college admission and excludes basic keyboarding or typing courses. It directly affects all students pursuing standard diplomas in Oklahoma public high schools under the updated graduation requirements.
HB 1396 prohibits private schools in Oklahoma from requiring parents to participate in the Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program as a condition for enrolling their child. It requires schools to provide enrolled students using the tax credit a written tuition agreement showing the base rate, with future increases limited to the State Treasurer's annual inflation measure (based on local consumer index data) and requiring written notice at least one semester in advance. This applies only to students receiving the tax credit, not to other students. The bill aims to prevent schools from tying enrollment to tax credit participation while standardizing tuition increase notifications for tax credit users. It takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 186 creates a grant program to help teachers with temporary emergency or provisional teaching certificates obtain permanent certification. The Office of Educational Quality and Accountability will award up to 1,000 annual grants per year (first-come, first-served) to eligible teachers through their school districts. Grants cover costs for exam preparation, exam fees, and part of required professional education hours. The program is funded through a new revolving fund and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 678 creates a state fund to reimburse Oklahoma counties for lost property tax revenue when centrally assessed properties (like oil/gas facilities) decrease in value. Counties qualify if they lose at least $250,000 in annual tax collections from these properties, receiving 25% of the loss for the first two years after the valuation drop. Reimbursement funds prioritize school districts first, with remaining funds going to counties. The bill appropriates $2 million from the General Revenue Fund to start the fund, effective July 2025.
SB 174 increases retirement benefits for Oklahoma teachers currently receiving payments from the Teachers’ Retirement System as of June 30, 2025. It provides a 0% increase for retirees with less than two years of retirement, 2% for those retired two to five years, and 4% for retirees with five or more years of retirement as of that date. The bill directly affects current retirees based on their retirement duration, not new retirees. Benefits are calculated as of June 30, 2025, and apply to those continuing to receive payments after the law takes effect. The bill codifies this benefit structure into Oklahoma Statutes.
SB 1006 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies from requiring or implementing programs that mandate preferential treatment based on race, color, sex, ethnicity, or national origin. It specifically bans agencies from forcing employees or applicants to participate in diversity training, providing diversity statements, or signing loyalty oaths favoring specific groups. Violations trigger a budget penalty: the legislature must reduce the agency's funding by 1% or require a 1% deposit into the General Revenue Fund the following year. The bill directly affects all state agencies, including higher education (via the Oklahoma State Regents), and takes effect November 1, 2025.
