Technology

HB 1982 updates Oklahoma school contracting rules for electronic educational materials. It requires vendors to guarantee materials are ready for immediate use at delivery, provide free replacements for defects within seven days, and supply updates/support within seven days of a school's notification. The bill also mandates that electronic files for textbooks must be in formats compatible with federal accessibility standards (like Braille conversion), ensuring materials can be adapted for students with disabilities. These rules apply to digital textbooks, software, and online learning tools purchased by school districts, effective July 1, 2025.

HB 2024, the Oklahoma Space Renaissance Act, allocates $51.3 million in state funds to support Oklahoma's space industry development. The bill directs $35 million for infrastructure at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port to enable spacecraft testing and launches, and $15 million for a microgravity research consortium focused on commercial science projects in Oklahoma City. It also provides $1.3 million for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority to carry out its duties. The funding is intended for fiscal year 2026, with the bill effective July 1, 2025.

SB 179 requires all Oklahoma state agencies to manage their own information technology and cybersecurity services starting from its effective date. It directs the transfer of all prior IT and cybersecurity data from the dissolved Information Services Division to each agency and mandates annual electronic reports to the Governor and Chief Information Officer detailing IT status, security events, and related information. The bill also dissolves the existing Information Services Division within the Office of Management and Enterprise Services and updates related statutes to align with these changes. This directly affects state agencies, shifting IT management responsibilities from a centralized division to individual departments.