HB 4118 proposes a tax credit for Oklahoma caregivers of eligible family members. It allows a 50% credit on qualifying expenses - such as medical travel mileage, home modifications, medical equipment, and hiring aides - for caregivers with income under $50,000 (or $100,000 for couples) caring for someone aged 62+ who needs help with two or more daily living tasks (like bathing, dressing, or eating). The credit caps at $2,000 annually per family, rising to $3,000 if the care recipient is a veteran or has dementia. The total annual credit pool is limited to $1.5 million, with unused funds adjusted yearly. If passed, it would take effect November 1, 2026.
HB 3044 amends Oklahoma tax return forms to allow taxpayers to donate a portion of their state income or corporate tax refund to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA). These donations directly fund ODVA's equipment purchases and capital improvement projects, such as facility upgrades and new construction. The bill creates a dedicated "Capital Improvement Program Revolving Fund" to manage these donations, which can be invested and used for veterans' facility needs without annual budget restrictions. It reauthorizes this existing donation mechanism, effective November 1, 2026, and includes a three-year refund process for taxpayers who donate in error.
SB 32 modifies Oklahoma's National Guard Educational Assistance Program to cover required fees like course-specific charges alongside tuition. It sets caps: 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees and 40 for master's programs, while requiring joint review of fees by state education leaders and the military. Eligible Guard members must maintain academic standing, a 2.0 GPA, and commit to 24 months of active service after graduation. The bill also allows the military to deny assistance for failing to meet academic or service requirements, with repayment rules for noncompliance.
HB 2257 creates the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee coverage for eligible Oklahoma National Guard members attending Oklahoma colleges. It covers up to 120 credit hours for undergraduate degrees (max 18 credits per semester) and 40 credit hours for master's programs, including mandatory fees and academic service fees. To qualify, members must maintain a 2.0 GPA, hold a military occupational specialty after their first semester, and agree to serve 24 additional months in the Guard after completing their education. Failure to meet service requirements triggers repayment calculations based on the total assistance amount. The program becomes effective November 1, 2025, and is funded through a revolving fund managed by the Military Department and State Regents for Higher Education.
HB 1414 changes Oklahoma's requirements for county sheriff candidates by adding a four-year full-time peace officer experience prerequisite, or equivalent military police service (verified by a DD214 form). It also mandates that newly elected sheriffs complete an approved sheriff's administrative training program within 12 months of taking office or risk losing their CLEET certification. The bill applies to all candidates filing for office after November 1, 2025, and does not affect current or previous sheriffs. This update aims to standardize qualifications and training for county law enforcement leadership.
HB 2136 creates a special revolving fund in the Oklahoma State Treasury to provide supplemental retirement pay to qualifying Oklahoma National Guard members. It directly affects members with 25+ years of service who retired from the National Guard but were ineligible for full federal retirement benefits due to age before the bill's effective date. The fund calculates payments based on what members would have received at full retirement age plus annual cost-of-living adjustments, paid monthly until they begin receiving federal benefits. Payments stop once federal benefits start, and the fund becomes operational on November 1, 2027. The bill does not apply to those retiring with active-duty military pensions.
HB 1091 clarifies and updates rules for Oklahoma's Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. It specifically defines key terms like "member" (including fire chiefs meeting eligibility requirements) and "credited service," while allowing volunteer firefighters to purchase military service credit toward their retirement benefits. The bill modifies how military service credit is calculated and adds limitations on its use, and it clarifies contribution rules and death benefits. These changes directly affect active and retired Oklahoma firefighters participating in the system.
HB 1465 updates Oklahoma teacher salary rules to count up to five years of military service (including National Guard) during a national emergency toward salary increments and retirement benefits. This directly affects Oklahoma public school teachers who served in the military, allowing their service to count toward their salary progression and retirement eligibility. The bill caps this credit at five years total, regardless of the service period. It became effective without the Governor's signature on May 7, 2025, and modifies existing salary schedules to reflect this change.
SB 814 expands access to emergency absentee ballots for military service members deployed during active duty. It allows these voters to request ballots after the standard deadline by submitting a written request with valid ID to their county election office. Ballots must be returned in person or by mail by 7:00 p.m. on election day, following the same processing rules as other emergency absentee ballots. Signed into law on May 5, 2025, this amendment to Oklahoma’s election code (26 O.S. § 14-115.6) specifically adds uniformed-service members to the existing eligibility category that previously covered first responders during emergencies.
HB 2832 allows Oklahoma state highways, bridges, and facilities to be dedicated in honor of individuals who provided outstanding service to the nation, state, or community - particularly military veterans and active-duty personnel. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to create and maintain a public digital map showing all such dedications, including specific details about the honorees, locations, and reasons for naming, with a dedicated "Veterans Military Trail Segment" for military honors. The map will eventually include interactive features to share historical context, and ODOT must link it to the Oklahoma Department of Tourism for public promotion. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
