Housing

signed · Oklahoma · House May 14, 2025

HB 1549: Public finance; private activity bond allocation; definitions; pools; application; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates new rural housing pool in bond allocation system, directing tax-exempt bonds toward housing development projects per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 333: Oklahoma Housing Authorities Act; modifying definition.

SB 333 amends Oklahoma's Housing Authorities Act to update the definition of "area of operation" for city housing authorities. It specifically allows active, certified city housing authorities to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) for projects anywhere in the state until December 31, 2027, provided they consult with the city, county, and other housing authorities in the project area. This change applies only to ARPA/SLFRF-funded projects and does not alter existing boundaries for other housing initiatives. The amendment becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingAllows housing authorities to use ARPA/SLFRF funds for statewide housing projects until 2027, advancing funding for housing initiatives without restrictions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2025

SB 681: Ad valorem tax; requiring notice of valuation increase to include information on limitation of fair cash value. Effective date.

SB 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax notice requirements to ensure homeowners with homestead properties receive clear information about value limits. Specifically, it requires county assessors to include details on applying for a "limit on fair cash value" (a homestead property tax cap) in written notices when property valuations increase. This applies directly to Oklahoma homeowners whose primary residence qualifies as a homestead under state law. The bill does not change tax rates but improves transparency in the notification process for affected property owners.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires notices to include homestead tax cap application info, enabling homeowners to access existing property tax relief without changing rates.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill requires tax notices with homestead cap info, helping homeowners avoid sudden tax increases and maintain housing affordability for primary residences.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

signed · Oklahoma · House May 5, 2025

HB 2171: Unlawful land restriction; creating the Uniform Unlawful Restrictions in Land Records Act; amendment; county clerk duties and liability; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill removes discriminatory housing restrictions (race, religion, disability) from land records, directly preventing housing discrimination and advancing equal access to housing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

vetoed · Oklahoma · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 128: Forcible entry and detainer; extending time period for certain appearance; increasing time period for service of summons. Effective date.

SB 128 extends the required notice period for eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer) in Oklahoma from 3 days to 7 days before the court hearing for most cases, while maintaining a 3-day requirement for emergency evictions under specific subsections of Oklahoma law. It also updates summons language to be plain and understandable, requires public access to the summons form via the court website, and makes certain legal terms gender-neutral. The bill would have affected tenants and landlords in eviction proceedings by giving defendants more time to prepare. However, this bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 5, 2025, and is not currently law.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends eviction notice period from 3 to 7 days for most cases, strengthening tenant protections by providing more time to respond to eviction proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 24, 2025

SB 234: Income tax credit; providing credit for certain qualified expenditures on adaptive reuse project. Effective date.

This Oklahoma bill creates a tax credit program to encourage converting old, vacant buildings into housing. Property owners can claim up to 50% of qualified costs (like environmental cleanup, code upgrades, or system repairs) for adaptive reuse projects on structures at least 30 years old that have been vacant or underutilized (with rent below 50% of market rate). The program has a $5 million annual cap on approved credits, with unused funds carried forward to future years. Credits cannot reduce tax liability below zero but may be carried forward for up to 10 years. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Tax Commission will administer the program and prioritize projects based on local housing needs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates income tax credit for property owners, reducing tax liability to incentivize adaptive reuse projects, aligning with tax relief support for housing development.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill explicitly includes 'environmental cleanup' as a qualified cost for tax credits, directly advancing environmental protection through adaptive reuse projects.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates tax credit for adaptive reuse of vacant buildings into housing with rent below 50% market rate, directly advancing affordable housing development.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 13, 2025

SB 274: Landlord and tenant; requiring criminal history screening policy for award of certain tax credit; establishing procedures for certain screening policies. Effective date.

SB 274 requires landlords receiving certain affordable housing tax credits (under federal or Oklahoma law) to implement a criminal history screening policy for tenant applications. It prohibits blanket denials based on criminal records and mandates an individualized review considering factors like the offense's seriousness, time since conviction, rehabilitation efforts, and relevance to tenant behavior. Landlords must provide applicants with the right to submit supporting documentation during this review process. The policy applies to tax credit awards starting January 1, 2026, and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency will ensure compliance with these requirements.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePrevents blanket housing denials based on criminal records, mandates individualized reviews for rehabilitation/reentry - reduces recidivism barriers per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents blanket tenant denials based on criminal history, requiring individualized reviews to protect tenant rights and reduce housing discrimination.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Housing

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