Housing

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 2113: Eminent domain; requiring condemning authority to provide a written finding of necessity. Effective date.

SB 2113 requires government entities (condemning authorities) to provide a detailed, written justification proving a public need before seizing private property through eminent domain. Property owners can request a court hearing within 30 days to challenge the necessity, and authorities must submit evidence supporting their claim within 20 days. Courts must independently review whether the taking is truly necessary, narrowly tailored, and considers reasonable alternatives, with the government bearing the burden of proof. If the requirements aren’t met, the case is dismissed with prejudice, and property owners may recover attorney fees. This bill directly affects property owners facing condemnation and government agencies seeking to acquire land.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill protects property rights by requiring justification for eminent domain, a key component of housing policy. Does not directly address affordability or tenant protections but supports property rights aspect of housing.85% confidence

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 1647: Mental health and substance abuse services; broadening purpose of County Community Safety Investment Fund; authorizing certain awards for specified programs. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1647 creates a revolving fund called the County Community Safety Investment Fund within Oklahoma's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. The bill broadens the fund's purpose to support evidence-based county programs including mental health/substance abuse treatment, pretrial diversion, jail intake screenings, employment, education, and housing services. Counties and multi-county partnerships can apply for funding, while the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System Board may receive up to $1 million annually for similar programs. The bill requires annual reporting to state legislators on fund allocations and program outcomes. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, with an emergency declaration.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds mental health/substance abuse treatment, pretrial diversion, and rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism and support criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates revolving fund specifically for mental health/substance abuse treatment programs, broadening purpose to directly fund these healthcare services through county programs.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly authorizes funding for housing services as part of eligible county programs under the County Community Safety Investment Fund.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly authorizes funding for 'employment' services within the County Community Safety Investment Fund, directly advancing labor/employment programs as a supported purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3565: Revenue and taxation; ad valorem; homestead exemption; increase in homestead exemption; effective date.

This bill increases Oklahoma's homestead tax exemption for eligible homeowners by the annual change in their property's fair market value, but only if their household income is at or below three times the state median. The county assessor must adjust the exemption each year based on the previous year's property value change. Homeowners exceeding the income threshold will retain their current exemption amount until income drops below the limit, and exemptions stay frozen if property values decrease. The change takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases homestead tax exemption for low/middle-income homeowners (income ≤3x state median), providing direct tax relief per bill's income-linked adjustment mechanism.92% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases homestead exemption for low-income homeowners (income ≤3x state median), reducing property tax burden and enhancing housing affordability for qualifying residents.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Tax Incentives Property Taxes

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3839: Homestead; findings; unconditional ownership; property rights; severability.

HB 3839 establishes unconditional ownership for owner-occupied residential property in Oklahoma after residential property taxes are eliminated (via State Question 842). It prohibits governments from imposing substitute fees, liens, or assessments that function like tax forfeiture, and bans forced sales for nonpayment of non-tax charges. Homeowners can seek legal remedies, including injunctions or attorney fees, if these protections are violated. The law applies only to residential properties where the owner resides, not commercial or rental properties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates residential property taxes and bans substitute fees, providing direct tax relief to homeowners per State Question 842.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents forced sales for non-tax charges and bans substitute fees mimicking taxes, directly protecting homeowners' property rights in housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Homeownership Property Taxes

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3913: Cities and towns; buildings; single-stairway apartment; effective date.

HB 3913 allows Oklahoma municipalities to permit apartment buildings with a single stairway, provided they meet strict fire safety requirements. It directly affects apartment developers and city building departments by setting conditions like maximum height (six stories), unit limits (four per floor), fire-resistant stair enclosures (two-hour rating), automatic sprinklers, and specific exit pathways. Key provisions require sprinklers in all stairways, doors that swing correctly for exits, corridors with one-hour fire protection, and smoke detection systems in common areas. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and does not override existing building codes but gives cities authority to adopt this exception.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingEnables apartment development with single-stairway designs under safety rules, easing building code restrictions to increase housing supply.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 4301: Protection of veterans; requiring Attorney General to enforce provisions of federal law related to payments made to escrow or title companies in certain real estate transactions; effective date.

HB 4301 requires escrow and title companies to return earnest money to qualified U.S. veterans or active duty military members if a property appraises for less than the contract price. Companies that fail to comply face a $500 civil penalty per violation, with the funds added to the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Revolving Fund. The bill enforces a federal rule (38 C.F.R. § 36.4303(k)) and takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects veterans, active duty military members purchasing property, and the entities handling their escrow payments.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects veterans/military in housing transactions by requiring earnest money return if property appraises low, strengthening property rights and consumer protection in housing.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires return of earnest money to veterans on property appraisals, enforcing federal protections to prevent financial loss during home purchases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3847: Revenue and taxation; foreclosure lien; unpaid taxes; population cap; effective date.

HB 3847 prevents the sale of single-family homes for unpaid property taxes in Oklahoma counties with over 100,000 residents, specifically protecting elderly or disabled homeowners. It requires homeowners aged 65+ or classified as totally disabled (with medical proof), living in their home (not renting it), earning below federal poverty income guidelines, and owning property valued under $180,000 to qualify for an exemption. Homeowners must apply annually to the county treasurer with proof of eligibility, though taxes, interest, and penalties continue to accrue during the exemption. The bill applies only to large counties (per 2020 Census) and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides tax relief for low-income elderly/disabled homeowners by exempting them from property tax foreclosure, aligning with tax relief indicators for lower income groups.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents tax foreclosure on elderly/disabled homeowners meeting income/property limits, protecting vulnerable residents from displacement and strengthening housing stability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mortgages Property Taxes

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3694: Revenue and taxation; ad valorem; Oklahoma Tax Commission; form; county assessor; disabled veteran and surviving spouse; effective date.

HB 3694 requires Oklahoma counties to use a new form for disabled veterans and their surviving spouses when purchasing a new home. The form verifies their prior exemption from property taxes on a previous homestead under Oklahoma Constitution Sections 8E and 8F. County assessors must then update property records to maintain the exemption on the new home. This policy directly affects disabled veterans and surviving spouses who buy property, ensuring their tax exemption continues seamlessly after moving. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill maintains existing property tax exemption for disabled veterans, ensuring continued tax relief without requiring new funding or policy changes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMaintains property tax exemption for disabled veterans purchasing homes, reducing housing costs and supporting affordability for a vulnerable group.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransEnsures disabled veterans' property tax exemption continuity when purchasing new homes, protecting existing benefit without interruption per constitutional exemptions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Incentives

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 5, 2026

HB 3698: Unstable housing; Student Eviction Assistance Revolving Fund; Oklahoma State Department of Education; indigent defense; forcible entry and detainer; requirements; report; audit; effective date.

HB 3698 creates the Student Eviction Assistance Revolving Fund within Oklahoma's State Department of Education to address housing instability affecting students. The fund provides legal representation for low-income families (indigent tenants) with children enrolled in pre-K through 12th grade facing eviction (forcible entry/detainer cases), with referrals required through their school district. Funding comes from state appropriations, federal grants, and donations, and is allocated across all 77 counties based on poverty rates and chronic absenteeism data. The bill mandates annual audits of legal service organizations, requires detailed expenditure reports to state leaders, and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations to fund the Student Eviction Assistance Revolving Fund, directly advancing public service funding through state budget resources.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Student Eviction Assistance Fund via State Department of Education to prevent housing instability-related absenteeism, directly supporting educational access for K-12 students.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates Student Eviction Assistance Fund providing legal aid to low-income families facing eviction, directly protecting tenant rights and addressing housing instability for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability Government Spending Early Childhood Tenant Rights

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passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 3386: Evictions; forcible entry and detainer actions; mediation; hearing; minor children residing in rental property; effective date.

HB 3386 modifies Oklahoma's landlord-tenant law by requiring court-supervised mediation before a landlord can terminate a lease due to unpaid rent when minor children reside in the rental unit. For all other tenants without minor children, landlords may still terminate leases after a 5-day grace period following written notice of unpaid rent. The bill amends Section 131 of Title 41 O.S. 2021 and becomes effective November 1, 2026, directly affecting landlords and tenants in households with minor children facing rent delinquency.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRequires court mediation before eviction for unpaid rent when minors reside, strengthening tenant protections under housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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