Sen. Julia Kirt

Maddy summarySB 71 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma renters, directly affecting individuals who pay rent for their primary residence. It allows a credit of up to $110 for 2026 (adjusted annually for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index), which becomes refundable if it exceeds the taxpayer's income tax liability. The Oklahoma Tax Commission must provide a form requiring renters to submit their address, landlord name, monthly rent, and annual rent total to claim the credit. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies to tax years beginning in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 166 removes a prohibition that previously banned Oklahoma municipalities from registering real property. It allows cities and towns to collect contact information from property owners for public safety purposes - such as emergency maintenance or addressing dilapidated properties - but explicitly forbids charging fees for this data collection. The bill also clarifies that municipalities may require names and contact details for property abatement processes without additional fees, while keeping all collected information confidential and exempt from public records requests. This change directly affects all Oklahoma municipalities and property owners by altering how local governments can gather safety-related contact details. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2228 updates Oklahoma's Sales Tax Relief Act to increase eligibility and credit amounts for low-income residents. It raises the income threshold for single filers to $55,000 (from $20,000) and for families/seniors/disabled individuals to $75,000 (from $50,000), while increasing the credit from $40 to $200 per personal exemption. The bill also adds income-based reductions: credits decrease by 1% for income over $55,000 (single filers) or 1.5% over $75,000 (families), but never below zero. This directly affects eligible Oklahoma residents filing state taxes with household incomes within these new limits. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 938 creates a state grant program to help Oklahoma municipalities increase workforce housing availability. Municipalities can apply for one-time grants by submitting a detailed "Plan for workforce housing" that assesses current housing supply, future needs, land use, and existing programs. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency will administer the program, requiring grantees to sign agreements with repayment terms if goals aren't met and provide quarterly reports on implementation. Funding comes from a new revolving fund in the State Treasury, supported by state appropriations and donations. This program directly affects cities and towns seeking to address housing needs for households earning 60-120% of local median income.

Maddy summarySB 471 requires all new or extended economic incentive programs in Oklahoma (including tax credits, grants, loans, or payments to businesses) to include measurable long-term goals for evaluation. It specifically limits tax credit incentives to a maximum of 10 years, preventing indefinite use of these programs. The bill applies to all such incentives enacted after January 1, 2016, or extended beyond their expiration date after that date. This amendment to Oklahoma law aims to ensure incentives have clear outcomes and time limits.

Maddy summarySB 143 requires automatic voter registration for Oklahoma residents when they apply for or renew a driver's license or state ID, unless they decline. New registrants are automatically registered as independents unless they select a political party. The bill also automatically updates a registered voter's address on their record if they change their address on their license or ID within the same county, unless they decline. Declining registration or an address update must be confirmed in writing or electronically, and the bill excludes non-U.S. citizens (per documentation provided).

Maddy summarySB 327 modifies Oklahoma's individual income tax brackets for specific tax years, affecting all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents who file state income tax returns. It adjusts the tax rates applied to income above certain thresholds, particularly changing the rate on the "remainder" of taxable income from 6.75% (for 1999-2001) to 6.65% (for 2004 and later) for both single filers and married couples filing jointly. The bill updates the statutory language in Section 2355 of Oklahoma's tax code to reflect these rate changes for tax years beginning after December 31, 1998, and before January 1, 2006. This is a substantive tax rate adjustment, not a procedural change, and it updates the legal reference for future compliance. The bill amends the existing tax structure without creating new tax categories.

Maddy summarySB 71 creates a refundable income tax credit for Oklahoma residents who rent their primary residence. It allows a credit of up to $110 for tax year 2026, adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index for inflation. If the credit exceeds a taxpayer's income tax liability, the excess amount is refunded. The Oklahoma Tax Commission will provide a form requiring renters to report their address, landlord name, monthly rent, and annual rent paid. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 184 would expand Oklahoma's SNAP eligibility by allowing households already receiving non-cash TANF or state-funded maintenance-of-effort benefits to automatically qualify for SNAP food assistance through "broad-based categorical eligibility." It sets the income limit at 170% of the federal poverty level with no asset restrictions, directly affecting low-income families currently enrolled in these state programs. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to seek federal approval for implementation and takes effect July 1, 2025. This changes existing SNAP eligibility rules without altering federal SNAP program structure.

Maddy summarySB 470 amends Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program to require businesses applying for new incentive payments to provide 12 weeks of paid family leave and an additional 2 weeks of paid leave for new direct jobs. This applies to businesses seeking quarterly incentive payments under the program, specifically for new jobs created after the bill's effective date. The paid leave must cover all family leave entitlements under federal law (FMLA) and include full wage replacement (100% of salary). Businesses must meet this requirement to qualify for the incentive payments, which are tied to payroll and job creation targets.