HB 2961 waives tuition and fees for spouses and children of Gold Star veterans (those killed in U.S. military service) at Oklahoma's public higher education institutions and career technology schools. It expands existing tuition waivers - previously limited to children of fallen peace officers, firefighters, and law enforcement retirees - to include Gold Star families who meet residency requirements (Oklahoma resident at death or during enrollment). The waiver covers all tuition and fees for up to five years and applies to both the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and career technology districts. This bill modifies Sections 3218.7-1, 14-134, and 14-134.1 of Oklahoma Statutes, effective July 1, 2026.
HB 4275 standardizes certification rules for two mental health roles in Oklahoma: behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists. It requires the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to establish uniform education, exam, supervision, and continuing education standards for these professionals. The bill applies to individuals employed by state/local governments, contracted service providers, tribal facilities, or VA facilities, and restricts certified titles to these specific employment settings. Certification fees are capped at $100, and failure to comply with rules may result in suspension or revocation. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.
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.
SB 2026 amends Oklahoma law to allow veterans' grandchildren to access military discharge records (DD 214 forms) held by county clerks. The bill expands existing access rights, which previously permitted only veterans, spouses, children, or legal representatives, to explicitly include grandchildren. County clerks must still keep these records confidential and separate from public files, requiring proper identification or court orders for viewing. The change takes effect November 1, 2026, directly affecting veterans' grandchildren seeking access to these military service records.
HB 3078 requires Oklahoma state agencies to include a clear option for donating to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Revolving Fund on common government forms and websites. It mandates conspicuous check boxes on forms for driver licenses, vehicle registrations, hunting/fishing licenses, and income tax filings, as well as visible donation prompts on related government websites. The bill directly affects residents interacting with state services during transactions like license renewals or tax payments. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, adding a simple donation mechanism to routine state agency interactions without changing existing tax or fee structures.
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 1970 designates a specific bridge on State Highway 18 near Pawnee, Oklahoma (three and a half miles south of Pawnee over Camp Creek in Pawnee County) as the "PV2 Earl Maggart Memorial Bridge" to honor a veteran. The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers bearing this name on the bridge. It has no substantive policy changes or financial impact, as it is purely a ceremonial naming designation. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.
SB 1956 designates a specific segment of U.S. Highway 169 (from Double Creek Bridge south to the Nowata-Rogers County line) as the "CPT David Ward Neely Memorial Highway." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install markers bearing this name along the designated route. It takes effect on November 1, 2026. This is a commemorative designation honoring CPT David Ward Neely, with no substantive policy changes or direct impact on residents or regulations.
SB 1323 designates the interchange of Interstate 35 and State Highway 32 in Marietta, Love County, as the "Sheriff Marty Grisham Memorial Interchange." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers bearing this name at the interchange. It becomes effective November 1, 2026, and has no substantive policy changes beyond this naming designation.
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.
