Technology (Broadband Access)

HB 1286 sets minimum requirements for Oklahoma public school instruction time, mandating at least 180 days or 1,080 hours annually. It specifically allows school districts to use up to 10 virtual days per year for limited reasons like inclement weather, staff shortages, or building maintenance - requiring districts to notify the State Board of Education by October 15. If virtual days exceed the limit, schools must switch to in-person instruction, and districts must maintain policies for students without internet access. The bill also requires annual audits of compliance and reports on student achievement impacts for districts using flexible scheduling options.

HB 1123 deletes Oklahoma's State Broadband Grant Program Revolving Fund, which previously provided dedicated funding for broadband expansion grants. The bill eliminates this special fund in the state treasury, redirecting how grant programs are financed. This change directly affects the Oklahoma Broadband Office and future grant recipients by removing a specific funding source for expanding high-speed internet access in unserved and underserved areas. The bill also modifies the Broadband Governing Board's structure but focuses primarily on ending the revolving fund mechanism. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

SB 1122 requires Oklahoma's State Board of Equalization to assess property used for **wired broadband service** (offering internet over 100 Mbps download/20 Mbps upload) at a **15% tax rate** for tax years 2026-2036. It applies only to infrastructure in areas with **less than 10% broadband coverage** (per FCC maps) and exclusively to property used for broadband, excluding other services like video streaming. The bill amends tax code to define "broadband service providers" and mandates this specific assessment ratio for qualifying assets, including fiber, cables, and network infrastructure. This policy directly affects **wired broadband providers** expanding service in underserved rural or low-coverage regions.