Veterans

SB 1533 amends Oklahoma's veteran burial assistance laws to require that veterans receiving burial aid must have been residents of Oklahoma at the time of death. This change applies to both the Indigent Veteran Burial Program (Section 34) and the Dignity in Burial Act (Section 36), adding a new eligibility criterion that was not previously required. The bill does not alter the $1,000 reimbursement limit or other existing requirements, such as honorable discharge, death in Oklahoma, or documentation of burial details. It directly affects veterans who died in Oklahoma but did not meet the residency requirement, excluding them from state burial assistance programs. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

HB 2769 amends Oklahoma's military code to update the Oklahoma National Guard's structure and personnel rules. It requires the Adjutant General to have at least 8 years of Oklahoma National Guard service (previously 3 years) and sets their pay at Major General level. The bill creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, which provides education funding through a revolving fund for eligible Guard members pursuing career-focused training. It also adjusts nonjudicial punishment procedures, clarifies Adjutant General authority, and modifies eligibility for retirement benefits. The law directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members, leadership, and administrative staff.

SB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within the Oklahoma State Treasury to support veteran memorial statues. The fund, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), uses private donations, gifts, or grants specifically for installing and maintaining these statues around the State Capitol Arch. It became law on May 21, 2025, without the Governor's signature, and operates as a continuing fund not limited by fiscal years.

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 1243 creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, providing tuition assistance to eligible Oklahoma National Guard members enrolled in state technology center programs that lead to certification or licensure. The program covers tuition costs (up to a three-year limit) for members who agree to remain in service for 24 months after completing their training and maintain academic requirements like a 2.0 GPA. Members who fail to meet service or academic obligations must repay assistance calculated as a monthly amount based on the total assistance received, though hardship waivers are available. The program is funded through a new revolving fund in the state treasury, supported by annual state appropriations, and administered by the State Board of Career and Technology Education.