HB 1428 creates a $10 million revolving fund called the "Building Equalization for K-8 Student Transfers Revolving Fund" (BEST Fund) to support school districts that receive K-8 students from other districts. The fund can be used for specific facility expenses like building construction, repairs, equipment purchases, utility costs, security systems, and school buses. Districts must use the funds only for these approved purposes, and expenditures require state approval through warrants. The fund is ongoing (not limited to fiscal years) and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 514 expands Oklahoma's statewide alternative education system to explicitly include charter schools and virtual charter schools that are designated by the State Department of Education as offering alternative education programs. It requires school districts serving grades 7-12 to provide alternative education programs meeting specific standards (like smaller class sizes, certified teachers, and individualized plans) and allows districts to use full-time virtual or blended instruction. Designated charter and virtual charter schools must follow the same performance standards and attendance policies as district programs, while funding is based on student enrollment with 15% reserved for cooperative agreements between districts. The bill directly affects school districts, designated charter/virtual schools, and students at risk of not completing high school.
HB 1469 creates an income tax credit program for Oklahoma taxpayers covering qualified education expenses for eligible students. It directly affects parents, guardians, or legal custodians who pay for private school tuition or approved educational services (like tutoring, materials, or assessments) for children in Oklahoma. The credit amount varies by family income (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 annually) and includes special provisions for schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students (90% of enrollment below 250% of federal poverty level). The bill requires taxpayers to submit receipts to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and limits credits to expenses not covered by scholarships or discounts.
HB 2154 amends Oklahoma's Charter Schools Act to require charter school governing boards to approve a budget for each upcoming fiscal year before it begins. This change directly affects all Oklahoma charter school governing boards by adding a new annual procedural requirement. The bill focuses on strengthening financial oversight through mandatory pre-fiscal-year budget approvals, without altering other provisions like financial statement requirements or contract rules. The amendment was added to the bill during committee review and is currently pending in the House.
HB 1519 expands Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program by increasing the maximum annual tax credit for private school tuition from $5,000 to $7,500, removing the previous cap. It creates income-based tiers for the credit amount (ranging from $5,000 to $7,500 depending on household income) and broadens eligible expenses to include tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees. The bill directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers with children enrolled in accredited private schools, including schools serving homeless students or financially disadvantaged students (defined as 90% of enrollment below 250% of the federal poverty threshold). It requires taxpayers to submit receipts for qualified expenses and allows unused credit to be refunded. The program would apply to tax years 2024 and beyond, administered by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
HB 1760 creates tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who contribute to eligible scholarship-granting or educational improvement organizations. It allows a 50% tax credit (up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,000 for married couples, $100,000 for businesses) on contributions, increasing to 75% for those making a multi-year commitment with written proof. The bill also modifies how credits are allocated to business owners and requires annual financial reporting from participating organizations. These credits are subject to annual caps established by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.
SB 795 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents with clear information about all state education options before enrolling a student annually. This includes details on school transfers (under the Education Open Transfer Act), private school tax credits (Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act), charter schools (Oklahoma Charter Schools Act), and scholarships for students with disabilities (Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship). Schools must post this information on their websites year-round, update it yearly, and keep physical copies available at school offices. The State Department of Education will create a centralized document for all schools to use, effective July 1, 2025.
