Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1944: Administrative Workers' Compensation Act; modifying definition. Effective date.

SB 1944 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law by updating key definitions in the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act. It clarifies who qualifies as an "actually dependent" for benefits, specifies requirements for certified "case managers" (including nursing licenses and specific certifications), and refines the definition of "compensable injury" to exclude injuries caused by alcohol/drug use, natural aging, or preexisting conditions without proven aggravation from work. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking benefits, employers, insurance carriers, and healthcare providers involved in workers' compensation claims. The bill aims to standardize eligibility and claim processing without creating new benefits or altering benefit amounts.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentExcludes alcohol/drug-related injuries and preexisting conditions without proven work aggravation, reducing eligible claims under workers' comp.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 1425: Health care; repealing provisions related to the Health Care Workforce Resources Board. Effective date.

SB 1425 repeals three existing Oklahoma statutes related to health care workforce programs: 70 O.S. 2021 §2640 (Oklahoma Health Care Workers and Educators Assistance Program) and 74 O.S. 2021 §§3200.1-3200.2 (Health Care Workforce Resources Act). This bill eliminates the legal framework for these specific programs, which previously provided assistance to health care workers and educators. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2026, and directly affects the administrative structure and operations of those programs. No new provisions or funding are created; the bill solely removes the existing laws.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRepeals statutes funding health workforce programs, eliminating legal framework for assistance to healthcare workers and educators, effectively defunding these initiatives.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRepeals health care worker assistance programs, eliminating funding and support for workers' benefits and resources.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 13, 2026

SB 2084: Governmental Tort Claims Act; limiting settlement awards for wrongful termination claims; providing for inclusion of certain damages. Effective date.

SB 2084 caps settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by employees of Oklahoma public institutions of higher education (like state universities) at two years of their base salary at termination. It limits total settlements to include back pay and damages but excludes accrued unpaid wages, leave, and retirement contributions already earned. The bill specifically applies to state law claims, not federal ones, and takes effect November 1, 2026. This directly affects public university employees filing termination disputes under Oklahoma law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesCaps government spending on wrongful termination settlements, reducing state expenditures for public university employee claims by limiting settlement amounts.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill limits settlement amounts for wrongful termination claims by public university employees, reducing potential compensation (a benefit) for teachers/staff, opposing enhanced educator protections.90% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentCaps wrongful termination settlements at 2 years' base salary for public university employees, excluding earned wages/retirement benefits, restricting worker compensation rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 1277: Employment benefits; modifying conditions for disqualification; specifying work search actions. Effective date.

SB 1277 modifies Oklahoma's unemployment benefits rules by requiring job seekers to complete five specific work search activities each week to maintain eligibility. It lists 15 acceptable actions, such as submitting resumes, attending job fairs, completing online job search workshops, or developing a resume in the state's employment system. The bill replaces vague prior requirements with clear, actionable steps for recipients to prove they are actively seeking work. It does not change benefit amounts but affects individuals receiving unemployment benefits in Oklahoma. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRequires stricter weekly work search activities to maintain unemployment benefits, increasing barriers to eligibility and restricting access to benefits.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 5, 2026

HB 3043: Soldiers and sailors; Department of Veterans Affairs; seasonal employees; codification; effective date.

HB 3043 creates a new category of "seasonal employees" for Oklahoma's Department of Veterans Affairs, defined as unclassified staff working under 1,699 hours annually. These employees will not receive benefits like paid leave, health insurance, retirement, or paid holidays. The bill requires the Department to report annual usage of these positions, including worker counts and total wages, in its budget requests. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates cost-saving seasonal employee category without benefits, requiring budget transparency and promoting fiscal responsibility through reduced state spending on non-essential staff.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentDenies benefits (health insurance, paid leave, retirement) to seasonal VA employees, restricting employment protections for a defined worker category.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 4, 2026

HB 2288: Teachers' Retirement System; postretirement employment; earning limitations; retired member; earnings without reduction in retirement benefits; effective date; emergency.

HB 2288 modifies rules for retired Oklahoma teachers who return to public school employment. It establishes a 60-day cooling-off period after retirement before reemployment and sets annual earnings limits: retired teachers under 62 may earn up to half their final salary (or Social Security's limit, whichever is lower), while those 62+ may earn up to $30,000 or half their final salary. The bill also creates a three-year exception (ending July 2027) allowing certain retired teachers who haven't worked for a public school in the past year to return without earnings limits. It clarifies that part-time work for state government (like the Legislature) doesn't count as public school employment under these rules.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentImposes earnings limits on retired teachers returning to public employment, restricting income potential post-retirement and weakening retirement benefit protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 1, 2026

HB 3313: Retirement; Retirement Freedom Act; minimum employer contribution amount; employer matching; vesting schedule for certain funds; reemployed participants; effective date.

HB 3313 establishes a new defined contribution retirement plan for Oklahoma public employees hired on or after November 1, 2015, replacing the traditional defined benefit pension for these workers. It requires a minimum 4.5% employee contribution (with a 6% employer match), allows higher voluntary contributions up to 7%, and gives participants investment choices through 401(a) and 457(b) plan structures. The bill excludes certain employees, including district attorneys, county/city officials, and some hospital staff, from this new system. Key provisions include customizable benefit forms, employer matching based on contribution rates, and requirements for the Board of Trustees to maintain tax-qualified plan status.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentReplaces guaranteed defined benefit pension with defined contribution plan, reducing long-term retirement security for public employees compared to traditional pension benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 5, 2025

HB 1187: Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act; opt-out option; removing group insurance; effective date.

HB 1187 allows Oklahoma state employees to opt out of the state's basic health and dental insurance plans if they have separate group coverage, while retaining life and disability benefits. To opt out, employees must provide proof of their separate coverage and sign an annual affidavit, and they receive $150 instead of the flexible benefit amount they would otherwise receive. The state retains any savings from employees opting out of health coverage. This bill directly affects eligible state employees who qualify for separate group insurance and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentReduces employee health benefits by replacing flexible coverage with $150 annual payment instead of full benefits, weakening workplace compensation standards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

passed · Oklahoma · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1729: Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System; postretirement employment; limitations; codification; effective date.

HB 1729 codifies rules for Oklahoma retirees working for state or local government after retirement. It prohibits retirement benefits for months when retirees earn above Social Security’s annual wage limit from government positions (with exceptions for jury duty, witness testimony, or similar roles). Employers must notify the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) when retirees return to work, and retirees have specific options for recalculating benefits upon reemployment. The bill also prohibits rehiring retirees by their former employers for one year after retirement.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRestricts retirement benefits for retirees earning above Social Security wage limit while working for government, limiting worker compensation.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 6, 2025

HB 2217: Workers' Compensation; benefits; fees; effective date.

HB 2217 amends Oklahoma's workers' compensation law to clarify benefit rules for injured workers. It requires employees to comply with medical treatment (missing three appointments or abandoning care for 60 days can terminate benefits) and limits permanent partial disability awards to a 100% rating based on the American Medical Association's guidelines. The bill also caps weekly payments at $350 (increasing to $360 after July 1, 2021), not exceeding 360 weeks total for the body as a whole. These changes directly affect injured workers seeking ongoing benefits, employers managing claims, and medical providers submitting disability evaluations.

Topics ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentCaps weekly payments ($350), limits disability awards to 100% AMA rating, and terminates benefits for non-compliance - restricting worker compensation benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

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