Education

in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 2232: Higher education; Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Act; eligibility requirements; effective date.

HB 2232 updates eligibility rules for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program, which provides financial aid for higher education. It sets annual family income thresholds for financial need eligibility, starting at $55,000 in 2017-2018 and increasing to $100,000 by 2018-2019, with adjustments based on dependent children (e.g., $60,000 for ≤2 dependents, $80,000 for ≥5). Public and private schools must designate a contact person (e.g., counselor) to help students enroll and monitor participation requirements, including regular school attendance and avoiding substance abuse or violent behavior. Students who fail to meet these terms lose eligibility for program benefits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education financial aid access by raising income thresholds from $55k to $100k, increasing eligibility for more students.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid

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died · Oklahoma · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1523: Schools; student mental health; State Department of Education to create a school-based telehealth pilot program; request for proposals; definitions; optional school district participation; reporting to the Legislature; requiring the Department to seek funding; effective date; emergency.

HB 1523 would create a pilot program allowing Oklahoma public schools to offer virtual mental health services through telehealth. The State Department of Education must develop this program, with schools able to opt in by applying. Key provisions include requiring parental consent before services, limiting initial funding to $25,000, and defining "health benefit plan" per existing state law. The pilot aims to improve student mental health access without mandating participation. (Note: The bill was withdrawn from committee on February 19, 2025.)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates telehealth pilot for student mental health access, enhancing school-based support services without mandatory participation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates school-based telehealth pilot for student mental health access, expanding service availability through new program funding and voluntary participation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 2125: Education; adjunct teachers; instructional levels; early childhood education programs; authorizing adjunct teachers; effective date; emergency.

HB 2125 removes a restriction that previously barred adjunct teachers from teaching special education classes in early childhood education programs. The bill authorizes adjunct teachers to instruct in special education within these programs, expanding their teaching scope. This change directly affects adjunct teachers employed in Oklahoma's early childhood education settings. The bill is currently pending in the Oklahoma legislature after passing committee amendments.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves restriction on adjunct teachers teaching special education in early childhood programs, expanding access to specialized instruction within educational settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Special Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1244: School transportation; new passenger buses; seat belts required; effective date; emergency.

HB 1244 requires all new school buses purchased or contracted for use by Oklahoma school districts on or after July 1, 2025, to have seat belts for every passenger. This applies specifically to buses with a capacity of ten or more passengers. The bill mandates this change for new vehicles only, not existing buses, and updates signage requirements for school buses. It directly affects school districts and transportation contractors responsible for providing school bus services. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, following an emergency declaration.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seat belts on new school buses, enhancing student safety and school transportation infrastructure within K-12 education.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates seat belts on new school buses, enhancing student safety in transportation vehicle regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Public Transit

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 267: Higher education; establishing the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma; providing purpose; making an appropriation. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $5 million state appropriation for new academic school, directly funding a state program under budgetary spending.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes new higher education program with $5M state funding, focusing on civic education curriculum through American history and government courses.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 25, 2026

SB 683: Education; Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act; expanding qualifying expenses eligible for credit; requiring submission of receipt or list to claim certain qualifying expenses. Effective date.

SB 683 creates an Oklahoma income tax credit for families covering education expenses for eligible students. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers with children in accredited private schools or using approved alternative education methods (like homeschooling). The credit amount varies by family income: up to $7,500 annually for lower-income families ($75,000 adjusted gross income or less), decreasing to $5,000 for higher earners ($250,000+), with separate provisions for schools serving homeless or financially disadvantaged students. Qualified expenses include private school tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees, but exclude amounts covered by scholarships. The bill amends existing tax law to define terms and update references, effective for tax years 2024 and beyond.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for lower-income families ($75k AGI or less), providing direct tax relief under budget/tax policy95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tax credits for private/homeschool expenses, expanding educational access and funding options for families per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 2032: Summer nutrition; Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children program; Oklahoma Department of Human Services; State Department of Education; effective date; emergency.

HB 2032 establishes Oklahoma's participation in the federal Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program, providing food benefits to eligible children during summer months when school is not in session. Starting June 1, 2026, the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) will administer the program in collaboration with the State Department of Education to determine eligibility and reduce paperwork for qualifying families. The bill requires OKDHS and the State Department of Education to share necessary data to implement the program statewide. It takes effect July 1, 2025, with the program beginning in summer 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides summer food assistance to eligible children via federal program, addressing hunger as a barrier to educational access and student well-being during school breaks.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1399: Public indebtedness; Bond Issue Proceeds Act; expenditure of certain allocated monies; like-kind projects prohibition; effective date.

HB 1399 requires that for bond issues needing property tax increases or state credit, election materials must detail specific projects and costs for 70% of the bond funds, with the remaining 30% unallocated. After approval, entities must spend at least 70% of bond funds on the listed projects, but if a project costs less, savings can be used for other projects within the same category. School districts must post all bond project details online before and during the bond period, and cannot replace approved projects without a 60% voter vote. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates transparency and 70% allocation of school district bond funds to specific projects, ensuring educational infrastructure funding is properly used and accountable.85% confidence

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1226: Charter schools; Oklahoma Charter Schools Act; definitions; sponsors may operate charter schools; sectarian and religious institutions as sponsors; effective date.

HB 1226 amends Oklahoma's charter school law to allow religious institutions and sectarian organizations to sponsor charter schools, removing prior prohibitions. It updates definitions to clarify that charter schools (effective July 1, 2024) may be operated by public or private contractors under specific sponsors, including school districts and the Statewide Charter School Board. The bill requires new sponsors to complete 10 hours of training on charter school requirements and mandates the Statewide Charter School Board to maintain a list of approved online courses, prioritizing STEM and advanced subjects. These changes directly affect charter school operators, school districts converting traditional schools, and the Statewide Charter School Board’s oversight responsibilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves prohibition on religious institutions sponsoring charter schools, expanding educational choice options under Oklahoma's charter school law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 4, 2025

HB 1112: School employees; minimum salary schedule increase; support employees wage increase; effective date; emergency.

HB 1112 establishes new minimum salary schedules for Oklahoma public school certified staff (like teachers) and support employees, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill sets specific annual pay amounts based on years of experience and education level, increasing current minimums by approximately $5,000 to $10,000 for most positions. School districts must pay at least these minimums or provide written notice to employees if paying below the schedule. The law directly affects all Oklahoma public school employees covered by these minimums under state law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates increased minimum salaries for school employees, requiring higher school district spending on personnel, thus directly increasing public education funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly increases minimum salaries for teachers/support staff by $5k-$10k annually, mandating higher pay for Oklahoma public schools, strengthening educator compensation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases minimum salaries for school staff by $5k-$10k, mandating higher pay standards directly advancing wage protections for workers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers Minimum Wage

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