[Oasfaa] Legislative Update: February 7, 2025

[Beam, Colbi]

Good afternoon,

Week 1 has concluded at the Capitol and things are moving! Busy week for Higher Education as our Senate Budget Subcommittee presented the State Regents budget request to Senate Appropriations and House committees began their work. Please keep in mind, legislation progress can change rapidly and be sure to review to determine where legislation stands today at http://www.oklegislature.gov/BasicSearchForm.aspx.

Thank you,

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>

Priority Legislation List
2/7/25
Agency Admin
HB1351 by Rep. Tom Gann:  Creates the Defending the Integrity of the Appropriations Process and Verbal Earmarks Transparency Act of 2025. Requires agency executives to disclose within 72 hours any communication between a member of the legislature and an employee during which the employee or legislature discusses how state funds should be expended.
               Update: Assigned to Rules committee(s).

SB0314 by Sen. Mary Boren:  includes individuals employed by institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education as full-time employees for the purpose of maternity leave.
               Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

Concurrent Enrollment
HB2831 by Rep. George Burns:  Requires students who attend a physical school location to also attend concurrent enrollment classes at a physical location.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

SB0233 by Sen. Lisa Standridge:  Provides for Concurrent Enrollment tuition waivers for Juniors and Seniors who declare intention to teach.
               Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

Gun Laws
HB1358 by Rep. Jim Olsen:  Allows carrying firearms on college campuses.
Update: Assigned to Criminal Judiciary then Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight committee(s). Committee Reassigned

Higher Education
HB2903 by Rep. Tammy Townley:  Repeals the Student Advisory board sections of the State Regents For Higher Education
               Update: Assigned to Education Oversight then Postsecondary Education committee(s).

SB0283 by Sen. Dave Rader:  Expands the annual transaction limit for the State System of Higher Education Master Lease Program.
               Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation committee(s).

SB0285 by Sen. Adam Pugh:  modifies reporting requirements to the Legislature regarding the Oklahoma Equal Opportunity Education Scholarship Act. It creates a credit, for contributions made on or after January 1, 2025, for any taxpayer who makes a contribution to an eligible higher education institution foundation. It sets limits for the credit. It requires on or before April 30, 2027, and once every four years thereafter, each eligible higher education institution foundation to submit to the Oklahoma Tax Commission, the Governor, the Senate president pro tempore and House speaker an audited financial statement for the foundation along with information detailing the benefits, successes, or failures of the program. It defines applicable terms.
               Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations committee(s).

SB0349 by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom:  Requires a report on all foreign entities funding higher education
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

SB0408 by Sen. Mary Boren:  Bans institutions of higher education from requiring a student to take a leave of absence, withdraw or limit studies solely due to pregnancy.
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

SB0591 by Sen. Dusty Deevers:  Creates the "Free to Speak Act" Banning employees of a public school or institution of higher education to knowingly address an unemancipated minor by a name other than their legal name or a nickname/derivative and pronoun that is inconsistent with the students sex without written consent.
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

SB0749 by Sen. Dave Rader & Rep. Mark Tedford: Creates the Oklahoma Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act.
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

SB0845 by Sen. Lisa Standridge:  Requires that no Higher Education body except as required by federal law; establish or maintain a DEI office or higher/assign an employee or contract with a third party to perform DEI duties.
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

SB0846 by Sen. Lisa Standridge:  Created the Stop DEI act Requires each institution of higher education to establish curricula and designate courses in a manner that does not require students to enroll in DEI/CRT related education. Provides exemptions.
               Update: Assigned to Education committee(s).

HB1289 by Rep. Chad Caldwell:  Prohibits compelling, or requiring any applicant student or employee or contractor to endorse a discriminatory ideology.
               Update: Assigned to Rules committee(s).

SB0267 by Sen. Julie Daniels:  Establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at OU
               Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

SB0339 by Sen. Dusty Deevers:  Prohibits tuition and fee rates from exceeding certain years.
               Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

Higher Education Affordability
HB1602 by Rep. Emily Gise:  Extends qualified tuition reimbursement tax credit to 2032.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

HB1760 by Rep. Dell Kerbs:  increases amounts for Oklahoma Tuition Equalization Grants for juniors and seniors.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

HB2888 by Rep. Tammy Townley:  Removes the non-taxable sources from the eligibility requirements for the Tuition Equalization Grant.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

SB1054 by Sen. Regina Goodwin:  Creates a scholarship for the descendants of the Tulsa Race Massacre.
               Update: Assigned to Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

HB1282 by Rep. Chad Caldwell:  Creates the Distinguished Oklahoma Scholars Award Program. Defines eligibility and award parameters.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

HB1495 by Rep. Jacob Rosecrants:  Creates the College Fee Waiver for Children of Parents With Disabilities Act.
               Update: Assigned to Education Oversight then Postsecondary Education committee(s).

Oklahomas Promise
SB0140 by Sen. Ally Seifried:  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 Education then to Appropriations committee(s).

Student Loans
SB0106 by Sen. Mary Boren:  creates a non-refundable income tax credit for tax year 2026 and subsequent tax years equal to 30 percent of the amount of payments made by an employer against the student loan debt of an employee. It permits any unused portion of the credit to be carried forward, in order, to each of the 10 subsequent tax years. It requires the credit be claimed on a form prescribed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission with any documentation that the Commission requires.
               Update: Assigned to Revenue and Taxation then to Appropriations committee(s).

Teacher Education/Recruitment
HB2242 by Rep. John Waldron:  Higher education; Inspired to Teach Program; certain advanced degrees; effective date; emergency.
               Update: Assigned to General Government then Approprations committee(s).

HB1727 by Rep. Anthony Moore:  Extends Oklahoma's promise to the children of certified classroom teachers.
               Update: Assigned to Appropriations and Budget committee(s).

Workforce and Economic Development
SB0662 by Sen. Adam Pugh:  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 Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism committee(s).


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