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 11, 2026

HB 3066: Health Care Workforce Training Commission; creating the Workforce Talent Recruitment Revolving Fund; stating source and allowed uses of monies; promulgation of certain rules; emergency.

HB 3066 creates the Health Care Workforce Training Commission and establishes the "Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund" in Oklahoma's state treasury. The fund will collect federal funds (including those from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025), interest, and designated state monies to specifically recruit and retain healthcare workers in rural and underserved Oklahoma communities, requiring a minimum 5-year service commitment. The Commission can use these funds for workforce programs and create necessary rules to implement the program. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects rural healthcare providers and communities facing workforce shortages.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state monies via a revolving fund to recruit healthcare workers in rural areas, directing budget resources toward essential public service programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Rural Health Transformation Revolving Fund to recruit/retain healthcare workers in underserved areas, directly improving access and workforce stability through dedicated funding.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates fund to recruit/retain healthcare workers in rural areas, directly advancing workforce development and labor retention in healthcare sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

signed · Oklahoma · House May 4, 2026

HB 3086: Prisons and reformatories; Corrections Act of 1967; expanding powers and duties of the State Board of Corrections; effective date.

HB 3086 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Corrections to approve the Director's authority over prisoners' discipline and work programs. It specifically creates a Construction Division within the Department of Corrections for inmate work crews and prohibits inmates in this program from forming unions, striking, or engaging in collective bargaining. The bill also mandates Board approval for the Director to appoint staff, accept funding, or establish policies governing prison operations. These changes primarily affect prisoners working in the Construction Division and correctional staff managing prison programs.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits inmate union formation and collective bargaining, restricting prisoner rights within corrections95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits prison inmates from unionizing or collective bargaining, directly restricting labor organizing rights within correctional work programs.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

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 1392: Income tax credit; modifying credit amount for qualified employee in aerospace sector. Effective date.

SB 1392 modifies Oklahoma's income tax credit for qualified employees in the aerospace sector. It increases the annual credit from $5,000 (for tax years 2009-2026) to $10,000 (for tax years 2027-2031), allowing a maximum of $10,000 per year for up to five total years. Unused credits can be carried forward to future tax years, but the credit cannot reduce taxes below zero. The bill would take effect November 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases aerospace sector tax credit from $5k to $10k annually, providing targeted tax relief and strengthening sector-specific tax incentives.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases tax credit for aerospace employees, expanding financial benefits and effectively raising disposable income for workers in a specific sector.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

Track

vetoed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2778: Children; sunset; creating the Teacher Recrutiment and Retention Program; income exemption; child care subsidy program; notice to Department of Human Services; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides financial support to child care workers via waived co-payments and income exemptions, directly enhancing employment benefits for eligible staff.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment

Track

signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2766: General appropriations; various agencies, authorities, boards, bureaus, commission, funds and programs; effective date.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $1.65B from General Revenue Fund for public school funding including teacher salaries, textbooks, and health benefits, directly advancing essential education programs.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $1.65B for teacher salaries, textbooks, health benefits, and school consolidation fund from education-specific sources like Education Lottery Trust Fund.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds teacher salaries and health benefits for school staff, directly supporting labor-related employment standards within public education.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Labor & Employment