SB 1339 establishes a tiered minimum salary schedule for certified school personnel (like teachers) in Oklahoma public schools, based on years of experience and education level. It requires the State Board of Education to allocate state funds annually to school districts to implement these salary increases starting with the 2025-2026 school year. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their certified staff by mandating specific pay thresholds. The schedule includes detailed pay rates for different experience levels and degrees, with provisions for fringe benefits and out-of-state certification recognition.
SB 182 modifies retirement benefits for certain Oklahoma state employees, specifically members of the Oklahoma Tax Commission. It allows these employees to elect, within 90 days of appointment, to use the highest salary allowed for their position (rather than their constitutionally capped salary) when calculating retirement contributions and benefits. This change applies to both current and newly appointed Tax Commission members, making their retirement benefits based on a higher compensation amount. The bill updates related sections of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System statutes to reflect this election process.
SB 1469 creates Oklahoma's Earned Wage Access Services Act, allowing workers to access earned but unpaid wages (like salary or hourly pay already accrued) before their regular payday through licensed providers. It requires providers to obtain a state license ($1,900 total fee), report all transactions to a state database within 24 hours, and follow specific consumer protections. The law directly affects Oklahoma workers (defined as state residents) and providers of these services, with the Department of Consumer Credit overseeing enforcement. Key provisions include defining "earned but unpaid income" to cover both employees and independent contractors, and prohibiting certain provider fees or practices.
This bill proposes creating Oklahoma's first state-run paid family and medical leave insurance program. It would provide eligible workers (including employees and self-employed individuals who opt in) with up to 12 weeks of paid leave annually for childbirth, caring for a seriously ill family member, or personal medical needs. Benefits would be calculated based on the worker's average weekly earnings during their base period, with employers required to provide notice about the program and protect workers from retaliation for using benefits. The Oklahoma Department of Labor would administer the program, establish claim procedures, and require employers to maintain existing leave obligations.
HB 1087 establishes a new minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers based on years of experience and education level, directly affecting all certified teachers in the state's public schools. The bill sets specific annual salary amounts ranging from $39,601 for entry-level teachers with a Bachelor's degree to $65,319 for those with 35+ years of experience and a Doctorate. It clarifies that "fringe benefits" exclude certain retirement contributions and requires school districts to notify teachers if salary adjustments would fall below the minimum schedule. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year after being approved by the governor on May 30, 2025.
HB 2778 creates the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program (expiring November 1, 2028) to support child care workers at licensed facilities. It directly affects child care employees who work at least 20 hours weekly and meet income limits: $120,000 annual household income for two-parent households or $60,000 for single-parent households. Key provisions waive co-payments for eligible employees and exempt their income from subsidy program cost-sharing calculations, while requiring providers to notify the Department of Human Services if an employee leaves. The program operates under Oklahoma’s Child Care Subsidy Program rules, with all other eligibility conditions remaining unchanged.
HB 1138 creates a State Employee Dispute Resolution Program for Oklahoma state employees, requiring the Human Capital Management and Civil Service Divisions to handle complaints about disciplinary actions like terminations, suspensions, or written reprimands. It mandates mediation for most disputes before hearings, establishes an Office of Veterans Placement, and creates a confidential whistleblower program for reporting mismanagement or fraud involving state funds. The bill sets strict timelines (10 days to file complaints, 30 days for hearings) and requires quarterly reports on case volumes to state leadership. It directly affects most state employees but excludes elected officials, judges, certain political appointees, and employees in specific categories like temporary or seasonal roles. The law also shifts all state employee positions to be administered by the Human Capital Management Division without prior classified/unclassified distinctions.
HB 2766 is the Oklahoma state budget bill for fiscal year 2026, allocating over $1.65 billion from the General Revenue Fund to support public schools. It directs specific funding for teacher salaries, textbooks, health benefits for staff, school administration, and the School Consolidation Assistance Fund, drawing from multiple sources including the Education Lottery Trust Fund and Mineral Leasing Fund. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 29, 2025, and directly affects all Oklahoma public schools and their students through these state-funded resources.
SB 688 grants a 5-year property tax exemption for qualifying manufacturing facilities in Oklahoma, directly affecting manufacturers that meet specific investment, wage, and sales criteria. The bill exempts new or expanded facilities (including research labs) from ad valorem taxes if they invest at least $500,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) in qualifying assets, pay new jobs at or above Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program wage standards, and meet sales requirements (e.g., 50% revenue from out-of-state buyers for tech facilities). Facilities must annually file affidavits with the Oklahoma Tax Commission to verify eligibility. This law, enacted May 28, 2025, modifies existing tax exemptions to streamline eligibility for manufacturers expanding operations.
SB 663 transfers management of the Workforce Coordination Revolving Fund from its previous administrator to the Oklahoma Workforce Commission. It specifies that all funds remaining in the account as of July 1, 2024, must be used for workforce development programs. The bill amends existing law to remove references to fund transfers and sets an effective date of July 1, 2025. The legislature declared an emergency to expedite the law's implementation.
