SB 1319 creates a dedicated "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address environmental and safety issues from oil and gas operations. The fund must maintain $5 million, with additional taxes collected if it falls below this level until replenished (effective until July 2031). It establishes a new program allowing homeowners contaminated by brine or oil from *abandoned wells* (as defined by law) to apply for financial assistance from the fund without needing prior insurance claims. The Corporation Commission will determine assistance amounts and create rules to manage applications and verify contamination sources.
SB 2139 requires Oklahoma municipalities to amend property plats to remove discriminatory language (such as racial or religious restrictions) that violate the Fair Housing Act. It directs county clerks to erase such language from existing property records after a municipality passes an ordinance, without needing property owner approval. The bill affects neighborhoods with outdated discriminatory covenants in their recorded plats. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.
HB 2115 transfers administration of Oklahoma's Energy Conservation Assistance Fund from the Department of Commerce to the Department of Human Services. It provides grants of up to $3,000 for weatherization work (like insulation, storm windows, and structural repairs) to low-income elderly and handicapped homeowners who meet income guidelines (125% of federal poverty level). The bill requires an energy audit before grants are issued, prioritizes applicants with greatest need, and establishes a revolving fund for ongoing program funding. This directly affects qualifying homeowners seeking energy efficiency improvements to their primary residences.
SB 483 allows Oklahoma counties to create programs helping homeless individuals relocate to family members, employers, or others who will provide support. It sets strict eligibility rules: participants must be sober during travel, not on parole without approval, not have used such a program in the past two years, and must be homeless as defined by law (lacking stable housing, including those displaced by violence). Counties must verify with the destination contact before travel and document their agreement, then check in with participants 90 days later. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
HB 2361, the "Successful Adulthood Act," requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with a "Notice of Rights" explaining their legal protections. It mandates that youth transitioning out of foster care at age 18 receive essential documents, including birth certificates, Social Security cards, medical records, and educational transcripts, to support independent living. The bill extends eligibility for transition services, including housing, education, and Medicaid coverage, until age 21 for those in foster care due to abuse or neglect. It also requires the Department to provide information about college financial aid programs to foster youth and their guardians. These provisions aim to improve stability and self-sufficiency for young adults aging out of foster care.
This bill helps Oklahoma homeowners displaced by turnpike construction by matching their new property tax burden to what they paid on their previous home. For the first three tax years after moving, eligible homeowners get an extra tax exemption equal to the difference between their old home's tax bill and their new home's tax bill. It applies specifically to those who owned a home purchased by the state's Department of Transportation for a turnpike project and now claim a new homestead exemption. The exemption begins for tax year 2027 and lasts three years.
SB 1332, the THRIVE Act, creates a program providing zero-interest loans to eligible housing developers needing water, wastewater, or stormwater infrastructure to complete housing projects. It establishes a $100 million revolving fund administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, allocating funds based on population size (33% to large cities, 33% to mid-sized areas, 34% to small communities). The program requires a scoring system for applications prioritizing housing needs, economic development, workforce housing, and fiscal sustainability, with a clawback provision requiring repayment if projects aren't completed. It mandates annual public reporting on project status and outcomes, effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1809 increases Oklahoma's homestead property tax exemption from $1,000 to $5,000 annually for homeowners. It directly affects residents who own their primary residence as a homestead by reducing their taxable property value. The bill amends tax law to raise the exemption amount starting with the 2027 tax year, meaning homeowners will pay property tax only on the value exceeding $5,000. The change takes effect November 1, 2026.
SB 1858 allows Oklahoma cities and counties to require property owners in designated development zones to enter binding agreements guaranteeing payments for project financing. These payments can secure bonds issued for development costs, with the property itself serving as collateral through liens that take priority over mortgages (but not existing tax liens). The bill ensures such bonds don't count as general municipal debt, limiting repayment solely to the agreed payments and project revenues. Property owners in these designated areas would face direct financial obligations under these agreements, while public entities act as conduits without assuming broader debt liability.
SB 1393, the RESTORE Act, creates a 50% tax credit for developers converting old, vacant commercial buildings (over 50 years old, vacant for 3+ years, and not eligible for historic tax credits) into residential housing. It directly affects property owners or developers who undertake "adaptive reuse" projects, covering extra renovation costs like environmental cleanup, code compliance, and infrastructure upgrades. The credit is capped at $5 million annually (2027-2037), requires 20% of units to be affordable for 10 years, and allows unused credit to carry forward to future tax years. Projects must meet specific affordability and location criteria, with annual reports tracking housing units and economic impact.
