Housing

HB 2171, the "Oklahoma Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act," allows property owners and homeowners' associations to remove discriminatory restrictions from land records. It creates a specific process for owners to file an amendment with the county clerk to eliminate restrictions based on race, religion, disability, or other protected characteristics, which violate anti-discrimination laws. Homeowners' associations can also remove such restrictions without member votes by amending their governing documents. The law requires amendments to clearly identify the affected property and state that only unlawful restrictions are removed, leaving valid restrictions intact. This directly affects property owners and HOAs holding discriminatory covenants in recorded documents.

HB 2745 creates new tax deductions for Oklahoma banks and credit unions that earn interest on qualifying agricultural and housing loans. It allows institutions to deduct up to $500,000 annually (for those with over $750 million in Oklahoma deposits) or $250,000 (for smaller institutions) from their privilege tax bill. The deductions apply to interest earned on agricultural real estate loans, agricultural operating loans, and single-family residence loans made between 2025 and 2028. Total deductions across all institutions are capped at $5 million per year, with annual adjustments to maintain this limit.

HB 1177 prohibits recording "unfair service agreements" related to residential real estate in Oklahoma property records. It requires county clerks to refuse such recordings and states that any accidentally recorded agreement is void and provides no notice to buyers, creditors, or title companies. The bill directly affects residential property buyers, title companies, and owners by preventing hidden service agreements from appearing in public records. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, and ensures these agreements cannot legally bind future property owners.

HB 1496 changes the appeal process for decisions made by local city or town boards of adjustment (which handle zoning and land use matters). It removes the requirement for a bond when filing appeals in district court, mandates that appeals be re-heard from scratch (de novo), and establishes specific rules for temporary stays during appeals. Courts must consider four factors before granting stays and require bonds (except for municipal governments), with stays automatically ending once a final court decision is issued. This directly affects property owners challenging local decisions and city governments defending them in Oklahoma municipalities.