HB 2773 allocates $250 million from Oklahoma's Legacy Capital Financing Fund to Oklahoma State University Veterinary Medicine Authority (OSUVMA) for constructing, refurbishing, or expanding animal teaching hospitals and related facilities. The funds become available after July 1, 2026, with repayment structured as 20-year recapitalization payments starting in the 2026 state fiscal year. This bill directly benefits OSUVMA by enabling facility improvements for veterinary education and care, using existing state capital funds without creating new state obligations.
SB 684 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Act by increasing the annual credit limit to $7,500 for eligible taxpayers claiming credits for private school tuition and related education expenses. It changes the tax years for which the credit limit applies and requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to maintain a publicly accessible, searchable online list of all taxpayers claiming the credit, including their names, credit amounts, and the specific law authorizing the credit. This bill directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers claiming the education credit and participating private schools, which must provide information to the Tax Commission. The law also specifies that qualified expenses include tuition at accredited private schools or certain educational services like tutoring and materials. The changes take effect immediately upon the bill's approval.
HB 2888 amends Oklahoma's Tuition Equalization Grant program to set a $50,000 annual income limit for student eligibility (based on parents' income or the student's self-supporting income if independent). It directly affects Oklahoma residents attending 12 specific private, not-for-profit colleges (including Oral Roberts University and Oklahoma Baptist University) who enroll full-time as undergraduates. The bill provides a fixed $2,000 annual grant per eligible student, excludes summer terms, and limits total grant benefits to five years. It also requires institutions to maintain accreditation standards and mandates annual reports on grant recipients' academic outcomes to state leaders. The law became effective November 1, 2025.
SB 1262 provides a resident tuition waiver for Oklahoma students under 18 who were victims of human trafficking for commercial sex or labor, as defined in Oklahoma law. The waiver covers no resident tuition at Oklahoma public colleges and universities but is limited to five years from the date of eligibility. It requires rules to be established for implementation and takes effect immediately upon passage. The bill directly affects Oklahoma residents who were minors during specific trafficking offenses.
This bill creates a fee waiver program for Oklahoma students whose parents have disabilities. It covers tuition, mandatory fees, and other enrollment costs for up to four years of undergraduate study or until a bachelor's degree is earned, provided students maintain good academic standing. Eligibility requires proof of a parent's disability (via Social Security Disability Insurance, medical documentation, or other ADA-compliant evidence) and enrollment at an Oklahoma public institution of higher education. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will oversee implementation, verify eligibility, and require annual reporting on participation and graduation rates, with funding provided by the Legislature.
HB 2946 creates a tuition and room/board fee waiver for grandchildren (and children) of Oklahoma public safety officers who died in the line of duty. The bill expands existing education benefits to cover descendants of peace officers, firefighters, law enforcement retirees, and emergency medical technicians who died on duty. This waiver applies to all public colleges and career technology schools in Oklahoma for a five-year period. The policy change directly affects eligible descendants of fallen public safety workers by removing financial barriers to postsecondary education.
HB 2197 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from requiring students to purchase meal plans as a condition for enrollment or on-campus housing. This directly affects all students attending institutions in the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, removing a mandatory cost tied to enrollment or housing. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and eliminates a specific financial requirement for students. It does not change other meal plan policies or costs.
SB 242 creates Oklahoma's Veterans Entering Teaching (VET) Program, providing tuition and mandatory fee assistance to veterans discharged honorably from the U.S. Armed Forces who enroll in approved teacher preparation programs at Oklahoma colleges or universities. To qualify, veterans must commit to teaching in an Oklahoma public school district for three consecutive years after earning their degree. The program covers tuition and fees for degree completion (up to $2 million annually) but requires veterans to exhaust federal education benefits first and prohibits overlapping with another teacher training program. Failure to meet the teaching commitment requires repayment calculated based on months missed, with hardship waivers available.
SB 685 modifies Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program, creating an income-based tax credit for Oklahoma taxpayers who pay qualified education expenses for eligible students. The credit amount varies by household income (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) and applies to tuition/fees at accredited private schools or qualifying educational expenses like tutoring and materials. Taxpayers must submit receipts for qualified expenses and provide income documentation from the previous tax year to claim the credit. The bill also specifies special credit tiers for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students.
HB 1742 creates a tax credit program allowing Oklahoma taxpayers to claim credits for qualified education expenses paid for eligible students. The credit amount varies by household income (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) and covers tuition at accredited private schools, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees. Eligible students include those attending accredited private schools or receiving education through approved alternative methods. Parents must submit receipts to the Oklahoma Tax Commission to claim the credit, which can be refunded if it exceeds their tax liability. This bill directly affects Oklahoma parents/guardians paying for qualifying education costs for their children.
