Labor & Employment

HB 1836 amends Oklahoma law to define key terms for the State Use Program, which governs state procurement from organizations employing people with significant disabilities. It specifies that qualified nonprofits must employ at least 50% people with significant disabilities (including blind individuals) in direct production work, and defines terms like "manufactured," "processed," and "assembled" for procurement purposes. The bill establishes a "Central nonprofit agency" (CNA) to oversee the program, with the Office of Management and Enterprise Services approving the procurement schedule. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, directly affecting state agencies purchasing goods/services from participating disability-focused nonprofits.

SB 8 increases pension benefits by 5% for Oklahoma firefighters currently receiving payments as of June 30, 2025, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects firefighters and surviving spouses receiving benefits under the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension System. The bill includes an exception for firefighters who joined before January 1, 1981: their pension adjustments will mirror changes in local municipal firefighter salaries (defined as those at maximum salary without promotion), offsetting the 5% increase. All other eligible recipients will receive the standard 5% benefit increase without this adjustment.

SB 90 provides a 5% benefit increase for retirees in several Oklahoma public employee retirement systems, including firefighters, police officers, judges, law enforcement, teachers, and general public employees. This applies to those receiving benefits as of June 30, 2025, and continuing to receive them after the bill's effective date (July 1, 2026). The bill includes offset provisions for certain pre-1981 retirees: their increases may be partially reduced based on changes to firefighter or police officer base salaries. The policy directly affects current retirees in these specific systems without altering the core benefit structure for most recipients.