Veterans (Veteran Education)

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1537: Oklahoma Veterans Commission; modifying appointment procedures for Commission members. Effective date.

SB 1537 updates Oklahoma's appointment process for the Veterans Commission. It requires six members to be selected from specific veterans' organizations (like the American Legion and VFW), which must now submit tax returns, mission statements, and annual veteran service statistics. The bill mandates three at-large appointments, including at least one member who served after September 11, 2001. If an organization fails to provide required documentation, the Governor may appoint an at-large member temporarily. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransRequires vetted veteran org representation and post-9/11 member inclusion, strengthening commission oversight of veteran services per bill's appointment mandates.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 3042: Veterans; Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Supplemental Revolving Funds; purpose; source of funds; effective date; emergency.

HB 3042 creates a permanent revolving fund called the "Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs Supplemental Revolving Fund" within the State Treasury. The fund will be financed exclusively by donations and eligible federal funds received by the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA), not by state appropriations. ODVA may use these funds to increase transparency, reduce reliance on annual state budget cycles, and reinvest in veterans' programs. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and is declared an emergency to allow immediate implementation. This directly affects ODVA's budgeting flexibility and how it manages non-state revenue sources for veterans' services.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates permanent revolving fund for ODVA programs using donations/federal funds to reinvest in veterans' services, advancing support without state appropriations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Housing

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 64: Turnpikes; exempting veterans from certain tolls. Effective date.

SB 64 exempts eligible veterans from paying tolls on Oklahoma turnpikes. To qualify, veterans must have a 100% disability rating under Oklahoma law and be driving their own noncommercial vehicle. The bill amends existing law to add this exemption to the list of toll-free users, alongside law enforcement officers. It takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExempts veterans with 100% disability from tolls, expanding financial benefit and recognition for eligible veterans under Oklahoma law.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1354: Veterans; requiring Oklahoma Department of Veteran's Affairs to create certain program to create certain headstone or marker; providing certain burial grant; providing eligibility requirements; creating revolving fund. Effective date.

SB 1354 creates a program through Oklahoma's Department of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones or markers and burial grants for eligible Oklahoma National Guard veterans. It directly affects veterans who served six or more years in the Oklahoma National Guard, died as Oklahoma residents, were honorably discharged, and are not already eligible for federal headstones under 38 U.S.C. § 2306. The bill establishes a revolving fund (using state appropriations and donations) to cover headstone costs and burial reimbursement, with the VA developing application rules and eligibility guidelines. This program will take effect November 1, 2026, if passed.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates state-funded headstone/marker program and burial grants for eligible Oklahoma National Guard veterans not covered by federal benefits, establishing a revolving fund to cover costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 3, 2026

SB 1259: Aerospace, aircraft, and aviation infrastructure; requiring certain airports grant certain benefit to certain veterans. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1259 requires Oklahoma public airports that own, operate, or lease parking facilities to provide free parking to veterans who were honorably discharged from the U.S. military or Oklahoma National Guard. The bill applies to vehicles driven or occupied by these veterans and defines "public airport" as one open to all without prior permission. It takes immediate effect upon approval, declared an emergency. This policy change directly affects eligible veterans and airport operators by mandating free parking access at designated facilities.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransMandates free airport parking for honorably discharged veterans, directly expanding their benefits as defined in the topic description.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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signed · Oklahoma · Senate Apr 23, 2025

SB 530: Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; authorizing establishment of the ODVA Foundation; allowing Foundation to receive contributions; directing incorporation of Foundation. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 530 authorizes the Oklahoma Veterans Commission to create the ODVA Foundation, a private nonprofit organization designed to raise private funds for veterans' programs. The foundation will collect donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to support educational, training, and empowerment initiatives for Oklahoma veterans, reservists, and their families - supplementing, not replacing, state funding for the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. Key provisions include requiring the foundation to operate charitably, secure tax-exempt status, maintain auditable financial records (excluding donor names), and prohibit ODVA employees from voting on its board. This bill establishes a structured mechanism for private fundraising to enhance veteran services without altering existing state budget allocations.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates ODVA Foundation to raise private funds for veterans' educational/training programs, supplementing state funding without replacement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare Veteran Housing

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 4, 2025

SB 517: Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs; authorizing establishment of the ODVA Foundation. Effective date. Emergency

SB 517 authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) to establish a private, tax-exempt foundation called the ODVA Foundation. The foundation will raise supplemental funds from private and public sources to support veterans' education, training, and empowerment programs, alongside existing state funding. It must operate as a separate entity with no state employees as voting members, and all financial records (except donor names) must be auditable. This bill directly affects Oklahoma veterans, reservists, and their dependents by creating a new channel for private funding to address their needs.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAuthorizes ODVA to establish foundation raising supplemental funds for veterans' education, training, and empowerment programs, directly expanding support beyond existing state funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Memorials & Recognition Military Families Veteran Education

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signed · Oklahoma · House May 29, 2025

HB 2257: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility; emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition/fee coverage for National Guard members at Oklahoma colleges, directly funding higher education access and expanding educational opportunities for military personnel.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates educational assistance for Oklahoma National Guard members (a key veteran support benefit), covering tuition/fees for up to 120 credits, directly advancing veterans' educational opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

died · Oklahoma · Senate May 30, 2025

SB 32: Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act; providing for review of certain fees; authorizing establishment of certain cap; modifying retention eligibility. Effective date. Emergency.

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.

Topics ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransExpands National Guard educational benefits to cover required fees, ensuring broader access to tuition assistance for veterans95% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education

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died · Oklahoma · Senate Feb 12, 2026

SB 1336: Education; creating the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act; providing certain waivers; providing for calculation of waiver amounts. Effective date. Emergency.

SB 1336 creates the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act, providing tuition waivers for eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 60% or higher. It covers 50% to 100% of undergraduate tuition/fees at public universities or 50% to 100% of tuition at technology centers, based on disability rating (e.g., 60% disability = 50% waiver; 100% disability = 100% waiver). Veterans must first use all available federal education benefits, and waivers apply only to required courses (max 150 credits) or career programs (max 3 years), excluding textbooks or housing. The state must annually fund these waivers through legislative appropriations, subject to budget availability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides state-funded tuition waivers for veterans, increasing government spending on education access per budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for veterans with disabilities, expanding higher education access via financial support for public universities/technology centers.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides tuition waivers (50-100%) for veterans with ≥60% service-connected disability, expanding education benefits after federal benefits are exhausted.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Veteran Benefits Veteran Education Veteran Healthcare

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