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 744 protects Oklahoma employees from employer retaliation for exercising specific labor rights. It prohibits employers from firing, penalizing, or discriminating against workers who file complaints about labor violations, assist investigations, testify in proceedings, or exercise voting/free speech rights as elected officials. Violations are misdemeanors punishable by fines up to $200 or up to 30 days in jail. The law applies to all employers under Oklahoma labor law and takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 2366 creates a $5,000 annual income tax credit for qualified employees working in Oklahoma's biomanufacturing sector, available for up to five years total per employee. It directly affects new employees (not previously working in the sector) who hold relevant engineering degrees from ABET-accredited programs or hold a Professional Engineer license. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and cannot reduce tax liability below zero, with unused credits carryable to subsequent years. Employers must be "qualified" (engaged in biomanufacturing), and employees must meet specific education or licensing criteria to qualify.
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.
SB 1201 extends paid maternity leave and adds explicit adoption leave for Oklahoma education employees. It amends statutes (70 O.S. §§ 6-104.1, 6-104.5, 6-104.6, and others) to require school districts to provide adoption leave comparable to maternity leave, extend the duration of paid maternity leave, and update the "Public School Paid Maternity Leave Revolving Fund" to cover adoption leave. The bill directly affects K-12 teachers and full-time school staff, ensuring they receive paid leave for childbirth, adoption, or related recovery periods. It also modifies a leave-sharing program to allow sick leave donations for adoption-related needs.
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.
HB 1714 prohibits Oklahoma employers from discriminating against job applicants or employees based on off-work cannabis use or the presence of nonpsychoactive cannabis metabolites in drug tests. It specifically prevents employers from refusing to hire someone solely because of these factors, while allowing employers to use scientifically valid tests that don’t screen for nonpsychoactive metabolites. The law does not apply to safety-sensitive roles (like airlines or federal clearance positions), federal drug testing requirements, or situations involving suspected impairment. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
SB 1202 expands paid leave options for Oklahoma education employees by adding paternity and adoption leave to existing maternity leave provisions. The bill directly affects teachers and full-time school staff, requiring school districts to provide up to 90 days of paid leave for new parents or adoptive parents during a child’s first year. Key mechanisms include updating retirement credit rules for leave-taking and establishing a leave-sharing program where colleagues can donate sick leave to support employees caring for newborns, newly adopted children, or facing serious health issues. The legislation modifies related statutes to replace "maternity" with inclusive terms like "parental" leave and updates fund names and purposes.
HB 2086, the Oklahoma Earned Wage Access Services Act, proposes regulations for companies that allow workers to access earned but unpaid wages before their regular payday. It directly affects Oklahoma workers (defined as residents) and providers of these services, such as apps or employers offering early wage access. Key provisions require providers to clearly disclose all fees, offer at least one free access option, allow easy cancellation without fees, protect consumer data, and handle tips as voluntary. The bill also prohibits sharing employment data without consent and mandates compliance with federal electronic fund transfer laws. This legislation is currently pending in the Oklahoma House Business Committee.
SB 432 increases monthly pension benefits for Oklahoma volunteer firefighters who retired before the bill's effective date. It modifies how compensation is calculated by setting a threshold: volunteer firefighters earning over $9,939.69 annually in service pay (not expense reimbursements) will be classified as "paid firefighters," requiring them to meet physical standards to remain active members. The bill ensures retired volunteer firefighters receive at least the benefit level they had on June 30, 1985, and adjusts benefit amounts based on credited service years at retirement. This directly affects current and future retired volunteer firefighters, active volunteers exceeding the pay threshold, and municipal fire departments administering the pension system.
