SB 86 requires all freight railroad trains operating in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (such as engineers or conductors) aboard while moving. It exempts passenger trains, tourism rides, slow-moving trains under 30 mph with cabs, helper/hostler services, and loading/unloading at 10 mph. Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeat violations within three years. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency to address safety concerns. It directly affects freight railroad operators in Oklahoma, not passenger rail services or specific maintenance operations.
SB 767, the "Fair Chance Hiring Practices by Public Employers Act," prohibits Oklahoma state and local government employers (like schools, agencies, and municipalities) from asking about an applicant’s criminal history before making a conditional job offer. It allows employers to ask only about convictions that would disqualify someone under existing law and permits checking criminal history after a conditional offer is made. The law excludes sensitive roles - such as law enforcement, school staff, correctional officers, and positions involving vulnerable populations - from its requirements. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, applying only to job applications submitted on or after that date.
HB 1986 increases retirement benefits by 2% for eligible retirees in six Oklahoma public pension systems: Firefighters, Police, Judges, Law Enforcement, Teachers, and Public Employees. The benefit increase applies to those receiving payments as of June 30, 2025, and continuing after July 1, 2025, with specific calculations based on years of service (up to 30 years). The bill codifies these changes and takes effect November 1, 2025. It does not affect retirees whose benefits were already adjusted under prior provisions.
SB 201 establishes a mandatory minimum salary schedule for Oklahoma public school teachers beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. It sets specific annual salary floors based on years of experience and education level (e.g., $50,000 for a bachelor's degree with 0 experience), requiring school districts to meet these amounts through salary or fringe benefits. The bill defines "fringe benefits" to include retirement contributions (excluding certain state-mandated portions) and mandates written notice to teachers if districts propose salaries below the minimum. It also standardizes how teaching experience (including out-of-state, military, or Department of Defense service) is counted for salary increments, while prohibiting credit for more than five years of such experience.
HB 2230, the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act of 2025, increases the state's minimum wage to $15.00 per hour or the current federal minimum wage, whichever is higher, for all covered workers in Oklahoma. The bill directly affects all employees in covered industries across the state, requiring employers to pay this new minimum rate. Key provisions include amending Oklahoma Statutes Section 197.2 to establish this updated wage floor and setting an effective date of November 1, 2025. The law replaces the previous minimum wage rate with this higher standard for all hours worked.
SB 55 amends Oklahoma's minimum wage law to set the current hourly rate at $13.00, with an additional $0.50 increase each year for five years after the bill's effective date. This directly affects all employers in Oklahoma who pay employees below these updated rates, including businesses in retail, hospitality, and other sectors. The bill updates existing statute (40 O.S. 2021, Section 197.2) to reflect the new wage schedule without changing the law's scope or exemptions. It establishes a clear, incremental increase schedule rather than a single rate adjustment. The bill does not include exemptions for small businesses or specific industries.
SB 1204 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide teachers and school support personnel with three days of paid bereavement leave following the death of their spouse or child, including leave for miscarriage. This leave must be granted in addition to existing sick leave benefits and cannot be reduced by local negotiated leave policies. The bill amends Oklahoma law to mandate this policy for all affected employees, effective immediately under an emergency provision. It directly affects school employees covered under Section 6-104 of Oklahoma Statutes.
SB 1385 creates the Oklahoma Critical Workforce Retention Act of 2026, providing tax exemptions for certain income earned in critical workforce sectors (such as skilled trades) and allowing deductions for related job costs. It directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers working in these high-demand fields by reducing their taxable income for 2026 tax years. The bill amends existing tax code to adjust taxable income, specifically exempting qualifying trade income and deducting trade-related expenses. This policy change aims to support workforce retention through direct tax relief for eligible workers.
SB 1211 requires manufacturing facilities seeking a property tax exemption to pay new direct jobs an average annual wage meeting Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program Act standards. This applies to facilities applying for exemption after January 1, 2023, linking tax benefits directly to wage requirements for new hires. The bill updates existing exemption rules by adding this wage verification step, without changing the 5-year exemption period or other basic eligibility criteria. It affects manufacturers aiming to qualify for tax breaks under Oklahoma's ad valorem tax code.
HB 1339 amends Oklahoma county commissioners' powers by updating procedures for highway modifications and creating a tuition reimbursement program for county employees. It requires 15 days' public notice and a hearing before relocating highways affecting institutions, and establishes a program where employees can receive 100% tuition reimbursement (with A/B grades) or 75% for passing grades at approved schools. Safety awards for employees are capped at $250 annually, excluding elected officials. These changes directly affect county employees seeking education benefits and county commissioners managing highway projects.
