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 554 would require Oklahoma school districts to provide stipends (one-time payments) instead of regular salary increases to teachers holding specific certifications, such as out-of-state, international, or National Board for Professional Teaching Standards credentials. The bill prohibits these stipends from being counted toward future salary calculations or raises. It amends existing teacher certification laws to clarify that compensation for these certified teachers must follow this stipend structure rather than standard salary progression. This change directly affects teachers with the specified certifications who currently qualify for salary-based increases under Oklahoma law.
SB 388 allows students enrolled in charter schools or virtual charter schools to participate in public school extracurricular activities, such as sports or clubs, if they meet residency requirements. It requires school associations to update their policies to include these students and amends Oklahoma’s Extracurricular Activities Accountability Act (70 O.S. 27-103) to reflect this change. The bill defines "resident school district" based on student residence and applies to all charter schools, including virtual ones, effective July 1, 2024. This policy change directly affects students in non-traditional schools seeking equal access to campus activities.
SB 62 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from making payroll deductions for professional organization dues or political contributions from school employees' paychecks. This directly affects teachers and school staff who previously could authorize such deductions through their employers. The bill amends Oklahoma law to remove the requirement that districts automatically process these deductions upon employee request, instead making such deductions prohibited. Key provisions include requiring districts to stop these deductions immediately upon written employee request and preventing advance payments for future dues. The bill does not change how employees pay dues directly or impact other payroll deductions.
SB 842 requires Oklahoma public school districts, charter schools, and private schools to conduct a national criminal background check for all volunteers before they begin working at school sites. Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, volunteers must pay a fee of up to $50 (or the actual cost) for the check, processed by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), with fees deposited into the OSBI Revolving Fund. School boards may choose to reimburse volunteers for this fee and must publicly post on their websites whether the check is required and if reimbursement is available. The bill exempts volunteers meeting specific criteria under existing law, and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 472, titled "Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; expanding scope of scholarships while participating in the program," was withdrawn from committee on February 19, 2025, and is no longer active. The bill's original intent, as reflected in its title, was to expand tax credit eligibility for education scholarships under Oklahoma's parental choice program. However, with the title stricken and the bill withdrawn, no legislative action or policy changes were enacted. This procedural withdrawal means the proposed expansion of scholarship access did not advance.
SB 231 expands Oklahoma's August sales tax holiday to include additional school-related items. It adds school art supplies, school instructional materials (like reference books), and school computer supplies to the list of exempt items, alongside existing clothing, footwear, and sports equipment. The exemption applies to purchases under $100 during the three-day holiday period (first Friday in August to Sunday following). This directly affects students, parents, and schools purchasing these specific educational items during the tax-free window. The bill does not change the existing tax holiday dates or price threshold.
SB 339 would freeze tuition and fees at Oklahoma public universities and colleges at 2024-2025 approved rates for the 2025-2026 academic year. It directly affects all institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education by prohibiting any rate increases beyond the previous academic year's approved levels. The key provision requires institutions to maintain tuition and fee rates no higher than those set for 2024-2025, effective July 1, 2025. This policy change aims to limit cost increases for students at public higher education institutions.
