[Oasfaa] April 18: Legislative Update

[Beam, Colbi]

Good afternoon,
Thanks for everyone who assisted with Oklahoma's Promise Day and Higher Education Day at the Capitol! It was wonderful seeing all of your students using their voices to advocate for the work we all do.
It was a busy week for standing and oversight committee meetings. These meetings will continue next week and another deadline week will conclude for bills to be heard in Senate and House committees. Please remember that legislative progress can change quickly, especially this part of session, so be sure to check the current status of bills at http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx.
Best wishes,
Colbi Beam, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for State Grants and Scholarships
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education

655 Research Parkway, Suite 200
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104
cbeam at osrhe.edu<mailto:cbeam at osrhe.edu>

The update below reflects the major legislation concerning Higher Education.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Jarrett Jobe, Vice Chancellor for Governmental Relations, at jjobe at osrhe.edu<mailto:jjobe at osrhe.edu>.


Legislation List
4.18.2025

Agency Admin
HB1187 by Rep. Rick West & Sen. George Burns: modifies the opt-out provision to remove group insurance under the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act.
                Update: Assigned to Business and Insurance committee(s). Passed 8-1 on 4/10.

HB1409 by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader & Sen.  Kendal Sacchieri: Allows for public body email distribution systems to annually confirm and delete people from email lists.
                Update: Assigned to Technology and Telecommunications committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/17.

HB1607 by Rep. Emily Gise & Sen. Spencer Kern: requires state agencies to report the number of contract employees within the agency to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. The bill establishes requirements for the report.
                Update: Assigned to Retirement and Government Resources committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/8.
HB1683 by Rep. Cynthia Roe & Sen. Jo Anna Dossett: requires any health benefit plan that is offered, issued, or renewed on and after the effective date that offers coverage for contraceptive drugs to provide coverage for an enrollee to obtain: a three-month supply of a contraceptive drug at once the first time the enrollee obtains the drug
Update: Assigned to Business and Insurance and Appropriations . committee(s). Passed 8-1 on 4/10.

HB2095 by Rep. Annie Menz & Sen. Julia Kirt: Requires public bodies to respond to open records requests within 30 days.
Update: Assigned to Judiciary committee(s). Passed off the House follr 96-0 on 3/26. Assigned to Senate Judiciary

HB2164 by Rep. John Pfeiffer & Sen John Haste: business or family relationships are required to be disclosed as part of the bid submission process. It also establishes penalties for those who violate the state's Central Purchasing Act.
Update: Assigned to Judiciary committee(s). Passed off the House floor 88-0 on 3/11. Assigned to Senate Judiciary.

HB2674 by Rep. Kyle Hilbert & Sen. Lonnie Paxton: Creates the Statewide Official Compensation Commission
Update: Assigned to Retirement and Government Resources then to Appropriations. committee(s). Passed  9-0 on 4/16.

SB0095 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Nick Archer: exempts from the definition of the term "employee" within the Administrative Workers' Compensation Act any person engaging in a temporary work arrangement that allows the individual to observe a work environment and gain work experience without the expectation of financial compensation.
                Update: Assigned to Judiciary then Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Passed 8-2 on 4/3.

SB0109 by Sen. Brenda Stanley & Rep. Nicole Miller: requires any health benefit plan including the Oklahoma Employees Insurance Plan that is offered, issued, or renewed in Oklahoma to provide coverage for clinical genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a personal or family history of cancer when such test provides clinical utility and when ordered or recommended by a health care provider in accordance with medical and scientific evidence
Update: Assigned to A&B Health committee(s). Passed 4-0 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropriations 28-0 on 4/15.

SB0552 by Sen. Kelly Hines & Rep. Collin Duel: Prohibits state agencies from using or procuring and biotechnology equipment or services that originates from a company designates to be a biotechnology company of concern.
                Update: Assigned to Judiciary then Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Passed 7-0 on 4/9.

SB0646 by Sen. Lonnie Paxton & Rep. Kyle Hilbert: prohibits state agencies from publicly posting or publicly displaying content that includes covered information of a federal official or his or her immediate family
Update: Assigned to General Government then Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/8.

SB0995 by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom & Rep. Gerrid Kendrix: requiring legislative approval for proposed permanent rules
                Update: Assigned to Administrative Rules committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/17.

SB1024 by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom & Rep. Gerrid Kendrix: requires any state agency that adopts a permanent rule pursuant to Section 303 of Title 75 of the Oklahoma Statutes which contains a regulatory restriction to submit two regulatory restrictions for revocation.
                Update: Assigned to Administrative Rules committee(s). Passed 11-2 on 4/8.

Budget and Finance
HB1221 by Rep. Kevin, West & Sen. Avery Frix: It requires, unless federal law prohibits or restricts it, all funds authorized or required to be paid to the State of Oklahoma by the federal government, its agencies, instrumentalities or other federal governmental entity to be deposited or transferred to the credit of the Federal Funds Holding Account and to be subject to appropriation by the Legislature.
Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed off the House floor 78-18 on 3/24. Assigned to Senate Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations

CareerTech
HB1092 by Rep. Ryan Eaves & Sen,  Todd Golihare: Creates a $7,500 tax credit for those who have completed a Qualified CareerTech certification
Update: Assigned to Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism then to Appropriations. committee(s). Passed 8-1 on 4/8. Passd Full appropriations 19-4 on 4/16.

HB1243 by Rep. Judd Strom & Sen. Carri Hicks: creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act, providing Oklahoma National Guard members in good standing with a high school diploma or those who have completed General Education Requirements tuition assistance for up to three years at CareerTech institutions.
Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed 10-1 on 4/15. Title Stricken.

HB1585 by Rep. Mike Lay & Sen. Ally Seifried: allows pharmacy technician applicants who are at least 17 years old and in approved youth apprenticeship or CareerTech programs to complete Phase II training without being pharmacy employees. It requires all pharmacy technician training programs to be annually approved by the State Board of Pharmacy.
                Update: Assigned to Health and Human Services committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/14.

SB0031 by Sen. Carri Hicks & Rep. Judd Strom: creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Act. The bill defines applicable terms. The bill creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program to provide assistance to eligible Guard members who enroll in a technology center school. It requires, subject to the availability of funds, the amount of assistance be equivalent to the amount of tuition for a career and technology program in which the eligible Guard member is enrolled leading to certification or licensure, not to exceed a maximum of three years
Update: Assigned to A&B General Government committee(s). Passed 7-0 on 4/7. Pased full Appropriations 28-0 on 4/15. Title Stricken.

Charter Schools
HB1940 by Rep. Danny Sterling & Sen. Brenda Stanley: Charter schools; sponsorship; adding county to certain sponsor
                Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/8.

Charter Schools
HB2154 by Rep. Rob Hall & Sen. Brian Guthrie: exempts charter schools from filing a written itemized statement of estimated needs and probable income from all sources.
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House floor 76-13 on 3/25. Assigned to Senate Education.

SB0674 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Chad Caldwell: allows charter schools to submit certain charter school site plans for rezoning.
Update: Assigned to County and Municipal Government then Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 5-0 on 4/9.

Common Education
HB1096 by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck & Sen. Adam Pugh: Requires the state board of Education to Develop an Academic Performance Index
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House Floor 78-17 on 3/11. Assigned to Senate Education.

General Education
HB1287 by Rep. Chad Caldwell & Sen. Adam Pugh: authorizing the Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma to create a math tutoring pilot program for 8th grade math assessments.
                Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/8.

SB0006 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Chris Banning: modifies the dates for school board and career technology center board primary and general elections. It also modifies the filing period for the offices.
Update: Assigned to Elections and Ethics then Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 5-1 on 4/7. Passed oversight 11-6 on 4/15.

Graduation Requirements
HB1521 by Rep. Dick Lowe & Sen. Adam Pugh: Adds computer science and a one-year career tech program to certain science courses and requires one unit of computer science curriculum for certain students. It allows computer science courses to be used for fulfilling certain other requirements and requires the State Department of Education to promulgate rules on emerging computer science technologies
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House floor 85-4 on 3/27. Assigned to Senate Education

Gun Laws
HB1095 by Rep. Derrick Hilderbrant & Sen. Christi Gillespie: Allows governing body of any city or town to authorize the concealed carry of handguns into any structure, building or office space.
Update: Assigned to Public Safety committee(s). Passed off the House floor 66-13 on 3/18. Assigned to Senate Public Safety

HB1139 by Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader & Sen. Kendal Sacchieri: Modifies definitions authorizing the transport and storage of firearms on school property.
                Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed 6-2 on 4/15

HB1185 by Rep. Rick West & Sen. Micheal Bergstrom: Prohibits the destruction of historic military weapons.
                Update: Assigned to Veterans and Military Affairs committee(s). Passed 9-0 on 4/10.

HB2818 by Rep. Jay Steagall & Sen. Darrell Weaver: Modifies the Oklahoma self defense code to include "occupied premises" and expands open carry allowances
                Update: Assigned to Public Safety committee(s). Passed Public Safety 6-2 on 4/8.

SB0050 by Sen. Jo Anna Dossett & Rep. Nick Archer: exempts sales tax on the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices.
Update: Assigned to A&B Finance committee(s). Passed 6-1 on 4/10. Passed full Appropriations 25-2 on 4/16.

SB0500 by Sen. Casey Murdock & Rep. Kevin West: Prohibits government entities from entering into contract or agreements with any company or organization that discriminates against firearm companies.
Update: Assigned to General Government then to Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 4-1 on 4/9. Passed Oversight 13-3 on 4/17.

SB0628 by Sen. Christie Gillespie & Rep. Derrick Hildebrant: Governing bodies of cities towns and counties can authorize the canceled carry of handgun into any structure owned or leased by that political subdivision.
                Update: Assigned to Judiciary then Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Passed 6-1 on 4/9.

SB0742 by Sen. Todd Gollihare & Rep. Erick Harris: modifies the scope of applicability related to lawful carry.
                Update: Assigned to Judiciary then Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Passed 4-0 on 4/8.

Higher Education
HB1017 by Rep. Anthony Moore & Sen. Dave Rader: creates the Oklahoma College Athletic Conference Act for the purpose of establishing a new intercollegiate athletic conference, with the name to be determined, to promote and regulate college athletics among member institutions within the state; provide enhanced athletic competition; foster community and state pride; support student-athlete experience by giving more time in classroom and creating higher graduation rates, reduction of university athletic budgets due to less travel; provide better in-state rivalries to enhance student and spectator experience; allow better in-state recruiting thus keeping Oklahoma students in Oklahoma; and ensure compliance with both state and federal regulations governing college athletics.
Update: Assigned to Education then Appropriations committee(s). Title struck. Passed 9-2 on 4/8. Passed full appropriations 21-1 on 4/16.

HB1027 by Rep. Mike Kelley & Sen. Jerry Alvord: adds University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University police officers who are CLEET-certified who participate in the system and lake patrolmen or dispatchers of the Grand River Dam Authority who participate in the system as members of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System. It updates the statute to comply with Internal Revenue Service regulations.
                Update: Assigned to Retirement and Government Resources committee(s). Passed 6-0 on 4/8.

HB1256 by Rep. Judd Strom & Sen. Kristen Thompson: Allows the Construction industries board to enter into contracts with any accredited system of education in the state.
Update: Assigned to Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism committee(s). Passed 9-0 on 4/15.

HB2197 by Rep. Max Wolfley & Sen. Kendal Sacchieri: prohibits institutions within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education from requiring any student to purchase a meal plan as a condition of enrollment or for residing in on-campus housing.
Update: Assigned to Education then Appropriations committee(s). Title stricken. Passed off the House floor 68-18 on 3/27. Assigned to Senate Education then Appropriations.

HB2903 by Rep. Tammy Townley & Sen. Adam Pugh: Repeals the Student Advisory board sections of the State Regents For Higher Education
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed of the House floor 81-5 on 3/26. Assigned to Senate Education.

SB0032 by Sen. Brenda Stanley & Rep. Nicole Miller: permits the State Regents for Higher Education to establish limitations on the fees or fee amounts to be ineligible for program assistance under the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Act in conjunction with the Military Department of the State of Oklahoma.
Update: Assigned to Veterans and Military Affairs then to Health and Human Services Oversight. committee(s). Passed 6-0 on 4/10. Passed Oversight 13-0 on 4/17.

SB0224 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Chad Caldwell: Creates the Oklahoma Education and Workforce Statewide Longitudinal Data System.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 7-3 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropriations 24-4 on 4/16.

SB0244 by Sen. Julie Daniels & Rep. Mark Lepak: Establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at OU
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 8-3 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropriations 24-5 on 4/15.

SB0283 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Gerrid Kendrix: Expands the annual transaction limit for the State System of Higher Education Master Lease Program.
                Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/7. Passed 28-0 on 4/16

SB0363 by Sen. Darcy Jech & Rep. Anthony Moore: Exempts Private Religious Degree granting institutions from requiring accreditation for certain religious degrees. Defines applicable terms
Update: Assigned to Postsecondary education then to Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 7-0 on 4/8. Passed Education Oversight 9-0 on 4/16.

SB0490 by Sen. Todd Gollihare & Rep. Mark Lawson: modifies the terms and requirements for certain agreements between student athletes and postsecondary institutions or authorized third parties under the Student Athlete Name, Image, and Likeness Rights Act.
                Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 10-1 on 4/7. Passed 26-2 on 4/16.

SB0701 by Sen. John Haste & Rep. Toni Hasenbeck: Modifies course levels offered at NSU Broken Arrow branch campus
Update: Assigned to Postsecondary education then to Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 5-2 on 4/8. Passed Oversight 7-2 on 4/16.

SB0796 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader: Prohibits the utilization of state funds at systems of higher education for DEI.
Update: Assigned to Postsecondary education then to Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 4-2 on 4/8. Passed oversight 7-2 on 4/16.

SB0873 by Sen. Paul Rosino & Rep. Preston Stinson: Removes obsolete property descriptions.
Update: Assigned to Public Health the to Health and Human Services Oversight committee(s). Passed 6-0 on 4/9.

SB0942 by Sen. Kristen Thompson & Rep. Emily Gise: prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, or marital status against a student or an employee in an institution of higher education or a public school in Oklahoma.
Update: Assigned to Postsecondary education then to Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 5-0 on 4/8.Passed oversight 9-0 on 4/16.

HB2050 by Rep. Preston Stinson & Sen. Paul Rosino: Requires foreign applicants for medical licensure to possess a doctorate of medicine or equivalent as evidenced by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.
Update: Assigned to Health and Human Services committee(s). Passed Health and Human Services 12-0 on 4/7.

HB2051 by Rep. Preston Stinson & Sen. Kristen Thompson: creates the Graduate Physicians Act. The bill defines applicable terms. It requires graduate physicians be subject to the supervision requirements established in any controlling federal law, any supervision requirements provided in this act, and any supervision requirements established by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision. It provides graduate physicians are not subject to any additional supervision requirements, other than the supervision requirements provided by the bill. It requires . the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, in consultation with the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, to promulgate certain rules. It establishes supervision requirements.
Update: Assigned to Health and Human Services. committee(s). Passed off the House floor 75-10 on 3/11. Assigned to Senate Health and Human Services.

HB2257 by Rep. Nicole Miller & Sen. Brenda Stanley: permits program and other fees to be covered by the Oklahoma National Guard Educational Assistance Program. It requires the amount of mandatory fees, program fees, academic service fees, and any other fees be jointly reviewed and approved by the State Regents for Higher Education and the Military Department of the State of Oklahoma before a determination to pay the fees is made.
Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed off the House floor 86-6 on 3/5. Assigned to Senate then to Appropriations.

HB2854 by Rep. Toni Hasenbeck & Sen. Kendal Seifried: Declares a moratorium on certain higher education course and program restrictions
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House Floor 68-21 on 3/13. Assigned to Senate Education.

Higher Education Affordability
HB1760 by Rep. Dell Kerbs & Sen. Adam Pugh: Provides Tax Credit for contributions to the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act
Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed off the House floor 63-31 on 3/27. Assigned to Senate Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations

HB2888 by Rep. Tammy Townley & Sen. Aaron Reinhardt: Removes the non-taxable sources from the eligibility requirements for the Tuition Equalization Grant.
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House floor 80-3 on 3/13. Assigned to Senate Education.

SB1054 by Sen. Regina Goodwin & Rep. Jason Lowe: Creates a scholarship for the descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Update: Assigned to Rules committee(s). Passed off the Senate floor 47-0 on 3/26.Assigned to House Rules.

HB1282 by Rep. Chad Caldwell & Sen. Dave Rader: Creates the Distinguished Oklahoma Scholars Award Program. Defines eligibility and award parameters.
Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/8. Passed  full Appropriations 22-0 on 4/16.

Insurance
HB1497 by Rep. Mark Tedford & Sen. Aaron Reinhardt: requires the ultimate controlling person of every insurer subject to registration to concurrently file with the registration an annual group capital calculation as directed by the lead state commissioner.
Update: Assigned to Businesss and Insurance committee(s). Passed off the House floor 86-1 on 3/24. Assigned to Senate Business and Insurance.

SB0901 by Sen. Grant Green & Rep. Mark Tedford: prohibits the Office of Management and Enterprise Services from promoting or marketing other forms of insurance in conjunction with the Risk Management Program provisions provided therein.
Update: Assigned to General Government then to Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/8. Passed Oversight 14-1 on 4/15.

OCAST
SB0387 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Mike Osburn: Extends OCAST STEM workforce pipeline program to CareerTech students.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropriations 28-0 on 4/16.

SB0572 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Daniel Pae: Ends the Technology business financing program ran by OCAST in Conjunction with the Commercialization Center.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed A&B Education Subcommittee 10-0 on 4/7.



OEQA
HB1955 by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants & Sen. Aaron Reinhardt: Puts OEQA in charge of the Education Leadership program. Changes amount the commission pays for National board certification
                Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed 10-1 on 4/17.

SB0186 by Sen. Mark Mann & Rep. Trish Ranson: Requires the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability to establish a grant program to provide individuals issued emergency or provisional certificates to teach with grants to assist them in obtaining alternative placement teaching certificates. It establishes requirements for applications and for the awarding of grants. The bill creates the Teacher Certification Emergency to Permanency Revolving Fund for the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability to fund the grant program.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed off the Senate floor 34-12 on 3/14. Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget.

Oklahomas Promise
HB1727 by Rep. Anthony Moore & Sen. Adam Pugh: Extends Oklahoma's promise to the children of certified classroom teachers.
                Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/8.

SB0140 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Toni Hasenbeck: prohibits a student who is 21 or older from being eligible to enter into Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). The bill modifies the program's eligibility requirements. It permits the State Regents for Higher Education to grant exceptions to the eligibility requirements, except under certain conditions. It requires the Regents to promulgate necessary rules.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed A&B Education subcommittee 10-0 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropruations 29-0 on 4/15.

OneNet
SB0687 by Sen. Chuck Hall & Rep. Trey Caldwell: Creates an account for the payment of broadband equipment rebates. In the state treasury
Update: Assigned to A&B General Government committee(s). Passed A&B General Government 7-1 on 4/7. Passed full appropriations 25-2 on 4/15.

SB0821 by Sen. Mary Boren & Rep. Daniel Pae: Adds to the required state budget performance itemized request a quantification of Information Technology needs
Update: Assigned to A&B General Government committee(s). Passed off the Senate floor 44-0 on 3/18. Assigned to House Appropriations and Budget.

Open Records
HB2163 by Rep. John Pfeiffer & Sen. Brent Howard: establishes in the Office of the Attorney General the Public Access Counselor Unit. It permits a person whose request to inspect or copy a public record is denied by a public body, except the Legislature and committees, commissions, and agencies thereof, to file a request for review with the Public Access Counselor not later than 30 calendar days after the date of the denial
                Update: Assigned to Judiciary committee(s). Passed 7-0 on 4/8.

SB0535 by Sen. Julie Daniels & Rep. Daniel Pae: modifies requirements for a public body to complete certain records requests under the Oklahoma Open Records Act.
Update: Assigned to Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/10. Passed Oversight 12-0 on 4/17.

Teacher Education/Recruitment
HB1087 by Rep. Dick Lowe & Sen. Adam Pugh: increases the minimum teacher salary for teachers with 26 years or more experience.
                Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/8.

HB1465 by Rep. Tammy West & Sen. Brenda Stanley: adds a definition for military service in relation to teacher pay computations.
                Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed 10-1 on 4/15.

HB1485 by Rep. Ronny Johns & Sen. Aaron Reinhardt: authorizes certain temporary contracts for teachers with emergency or provisional certificates and updates citations.
Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed off the House Floor 83-1 on 3/12. Assigned to Senate Education.

HB1491 by Rep. Ronny Johns & Sen. Aaron Reinhardt: Gives the state board of education the authority to revoke or suspend licenses or certificates and lists acceptable reasons.
Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed off the House floor 80-2 on 3/26. Asigned to Senate Education.

HB1601 by Rep. Emily Gise & Sen. Avery Frix: requires certain employees to have the right to utilize accrued sick leave to extend the duration of their maternity leave beyond the six weeks.
Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed off the House floor 58-27 on 3/17. Assigned to Senate Education.

HB2125 by Rep. Clay Staires & Sen. Kendal Sachieri: Authorizes adjunct teachers to teach at all grade levels including early childhood education
Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed off the House floor 68-22 on 3/12. Assigned to sEnate Education.

HB2418 by Rep. Scott Fetgatter & Sen. Avery Frix: Allows an adjunct teacher to maintain approval unless significant changes in his or her qualifications or curriculum occur.
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House floor 95-0 on 3/25. Assigned to Senate Education.

HB2702 by Rep. Ross Ford & Sen. Darrel Weaver: requires the State Board of Education to issue a certificate in the area of mild-moderate disabilities, severe-profound disabilities or comprehensive special education to a special education administrator who has satisfactorily completed a 150-clock-hour special education program prescribed by the State Board of Education
Update: Assigned to Education committee(s). Passed off the House floor 86-1 on 3/25. Assigned to Senate Education.

HB2893 by Rep. Tammy Townley & Sen. Roland Pederson: Public school paraprofessionals who hold a bachelor's degree in education or education studies shall be deemed to have satisfied any rule that requires additional professional education coursework from an institution of higher education under the adopted program.
Update: Assigned to Education. committee(s). Passed off the House Floor 92-0 on 3/11. Assigned to Senate Education.

SB0212 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Chad Caldwell: Directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish TeachForwardOK. Effective date. Emergency.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 8-2 on 4/7. Passed Full appropriations 26-2 on 4/16.

SB0235 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Dell Kerbs: Establishes the Grow Your Own Educator Program and the Grant application process.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/7. Passed Full Appropriations 27-0 on 4/16.

SB0794 by Sen. Ally Seifried & Rep. Dick Lowe: Requires the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish student teaching requirements for teacher candidates who are enrolled in an educator preparation program accredited by the Commission.
Update: Assigned to Common Education then Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 11-0 on on 4/9.

SB0840 by Sen. Carri Hicks & Rep. Anthony Moore: Creates the requirements of a Certified Academic Language Therapist and Center for Effective Reading Instruction Micro-credentials.
Update: Assigned to A&B Education committee(s). Passed A&B Education 11-0 on 4/7. Passed full Appropriations 30-0 on 4/15.

SB0841 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Toni Hasenbeck: modifies language regarding the purpose of the Strong Readers Act. It specifies that training in the science of reading be implemented in early childhood education, elementary education, and special education teacher preparation programs accredited by the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability.
Update: Assigned to Common Education then Education Oversight committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/9. Passed oversight 9-0 on 4/16.

TRS
HB1561 by Rep. Collin Duel & Sen. Kelly Hines: creates the Foreign Adversary Divestment Act of 2025. It prohibits all state and local managed funds from holding investments in any: foreign adversary; state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary; company domiciled within a foreign adversary; company owned or controlled by a foreign adversary; state-owned enterprise of a foreign adversary; company domiciled within a foreign adversary; or other entity within a foreign adversary.
Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation committee(s). Passed off the House floor 61-33 on 3/26. Assigned to Senate Revenue and Taxation.

Workforce and Economic Development
HB1376 by Rep. Brad Boles & Sen. Kristen Thompson: modifies the composition of the board of directors for the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence.
Update: Assigned to Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism. committee(s). Passed 9-0 on 4/15.

HB1540 by Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky & Sen. Casey Murdock: Creates the Oklahoma Workforce Education Partnership Revolving Fund.
Update: Assigned to Appropriations committee(s). Passed off the House floor 70-17 on 3/12. Assigned to Senate Appropriations.

HB2084 by Rep. Jason Blair & Sen. Julie Daniels: Creates new rules for journeyman license expatriations if licensee if completing continuing education requirements. Extends the time for reregistering or renewing a license if certain continuing education requirements are met within the time limits.
                Update: Assigned to Business and Insurance committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/10.

SB0130 by Sen. George Burns & Rep. Brad Boles: requires the Corporation Commission to submit a requisition pursuant to statute to contract with an outside consulting firm to conduct a technical and legal feasibility study on nuclear energy generation in the state. It requires the requisition require the contract be awarded to an outside consulting firm that has professional experience consulting on nuclear energy projects
Update: Assigned to Energy then to Energy and Natural Resources Oversight committee(s). Passed 11-0 on 4/2. Passed Oversight 13-1 on 4/16.

SB0135 by Sen. John Haste & Rep. Clay Staires: changes the name of the Oklahoma Aircraft Engine Testing Development Grant Program to the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program. It expands the program to include rocket engine testing. The bill appropriates $20.0 million to the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Fund from the FY2026 General Revenue Fund.
Update: Assigned to A&B Transportation committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/7. Passed Oversight 25-1 on 4/16.

SB0209 by Sen. Roland Pederson & Rep. Daniel Pae: Creates the Southeast Asia Trade Office
Update: Assigned to A&B General Government committee(s). Passed 5-2 on 4/7. Passed Oversight 27-0 on 4/16.

SB0473 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Eric Roberts: Requires reporting from recipients of the REAP of 1996
Update: Assigned to County and Municipal Government then to Government Oversight committee(s). Passed 5-0 on 4/9.

SB0573 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Daniel Pae: Requires for tax year 2026 and beyond submission of employment levels, intern, payments, estimated revenues, estimated costs and statements of financial assistance and income in order to continue qualifying for the small business incubator tax exemptions.
                Update: Assigned to A&B Natural Resources committee(s). Passed 10-0 on 4/7. Passed full Appropriations  27-0 on 4/16.

SB0575 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Daniel Pae: Oklahoma Local Development and Enterprise Zone Leverage Act; prescribing reporting requirements
Update: Assigned to Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee(s). Passed 8-0 on 4/8. Passed Oversight 14-2 on 4/17.

SB0586 by Sen. Chuck Hall & Rep. John Kane: modifies the definition of "new direct job" to establish a certain relationship between employer and leased or contracted employee under the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act.
Update: Assigned to A&B Natural Resources committee(s). Passed 6-4 on 4/7. Passed full Appropriations 19-8 on 4/15.

SB0662 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Brian Hill: Requires the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to implement programs in the state to address, high demand critical occupations, work based learning opportunities, K-12 district innovation. Provides definitions.
Update: Assigned to Commerce and Economic Development Oversight committee(s). Passed 6-0 on 4/8.

SB0663 by Sen. Adam Pugh & Rep. Brian Hill: Creates the Workforce Commission Revolving Fund.
Update: Assigned to A&B Finance committee(s). Passed 7-0 on 4/10. Passed full appropriations 28-0 on 4/16.



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