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.