Housing

HB 1549 modifies Oklahoma's allocation system for private activity bonds, which are tax-exempt bonds used to fund projects like housing and economic development. It redefines key terms and adjusts how the state's annual bond issuance limit ("state ceiling") is divided into specific pools, including increasing the Student Loan Pool to 15.5% and creating new pools for beginning agricultural producers and rural housing. These changes affect state agencies, local governments, housing authorities, and other bond issuers that rely on tax-exempt financing for projects like affordable housing, student loans, and economic development. The bill specifies that allocations from certain pools require approvals from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce or the Council of Bond Oversight. It became law on May 14, 2025, without gubernatorial action.

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.