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SB 664

Construction Industries Board; modifying eligibility of certain educational institutions to enter into certain contracts. Effective date.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Judd Strom and 1 co-sponsor

CIB may contract with eligible Oklahoma schools to develop trades curriculum and workforce programs, funded by a new Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund from lic

Coauthored by Representative Strom (principal House author)
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Bill Summary · SB 664

Overview

SB 664, introduced in the 2025-2026 Oklahoma Legislature, amends the Construction Industries Board (CIB) statute to modify which educational institutions are eligible to enter into certain contracts related to skilled trades education and workforce development. The bill also establishes a dedicated fund and outlines administration, reporting, and fund transfer provisions to support trade education and outreach.

Purpose and Intent

  • Expand and clarify the eligibility of educational institutions to contract with the CIB for:
    • Developing and implementing instructional courses on statutes and rules governing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades, and/or
    • Developing and implementing workforce development programs to promote skilled trades career pathways.
  • Create a dedicated funding mechanism (Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund) supported by fines collected from related licensing revolving funds.
  • Provide procedural safeguards and reporting requirements for funded projects.
  • Update statutory language and references to streamline administration and ensure funds are used for specific trade education and workforce development purposes.

Key Provisions

  • Eligibility for Contracts (Section 1000.4a A, as amended)
    • The CIB may enter into contracts with:
    • The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (OCTAE),
    • Any fully accredited vocational/technical school,
    • Any accredited system of education in Oklahoma eligible to receive state appropriations,
    • For programs offering electrical, mechanical, plumbing, or roofing trades coursework.
    • Purposes of contracts:
    • Developing and implementing instructional courses on relevant statutes and rules (potentially alongside trade instruction or statewide trade codes) to advance those trades, or
    • Developing workforce development programs to raise interest in skilled trades (including web-based and in-person outreach, school/community presentations, and informational campaigns).
  • Contract Administration and Evaluation (Section 1000.4a B)
    • All contracts require approval by the CIB under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
    • Costs funded from the Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund.
    • Proposals must justify costs, return on investment, value, and viability.
    • Recipients must provide a written post-contract report detailing expenditures, fund use, and outreach effectiveness and outcomes.
  • Use of Fines and Fund Allocation (Section 1000.4a C-E)
    • Fines collected and deposited into current revolving funds (Mechanical Licensing, Electrical Revolving Fund, Plumbing Licensing Revolving Fund, Roofing Contractor Registration Revolving Fund) may be transferred to the Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund for:
    • Developing instructional materials on state laws and licensing standards,
    • Covering costs of equipment, materials, personnel, and other costs to develop/implement trade curricula,
    • Covering costs of workforce development programs to promote trades as a career.
    • The Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund will be used exclusively for advancement of trade education and workforce development, subject to statutory availability.
    • Creation of the "Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund" in the State Treasury as a revolving fund, to be funded by annual transfers of fully adjudicated fine revenue from the related trade revolving funds (and only from the prior fiscal year).
    • Transfer mechanics:
    • If receipts (excluding fines) exceed expenses/encumbrances, 100% of fully adjudicated fines from each trade fund may be transferred to the new fund.
    • If non-fine receipts are insufficient to cover expenses, differences may be transferred from fines; if total receipts (including fines) are insufficient to cover expenses, there is no transfer for that period.
    • Fund administration:
    • Monies may be budgeted and expended for workforce development related to skilled trades and as authorized by related statutory sections.
    • Expenditures require warrants issued by the State Treasurer on the recommendation of appropriate state budget offices.
    • Unexpended/outstanding funds:
    • Unspent funds from written agreements not yet approved or not performed within 18 months may be released for future agreements approved by the Board under the act and related sections, with ongoing performance timelines distinguished for previously approved quotes/invoices.
  • Effective Date
    • The act would take effect November 1, 2025.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Construction Industries Board (CIB): Expanded authority to contract with eligible educational institutions and to administer the new fund.
  • Eligible educational institutions:
    • OCTAE, fully accredited vocational/technical schools, and accredited education systems in Oklahoma receiving state appropriations and offering relevant trade coursework.
  • Authorized recipients of funds:
    • Institutions entering into contracts for curriculum development, instructional courses on trades laws and rules, and workforce development programs.
  • Recipients of workforce development funding:
    • Schools and programs conducting outreach and educational activities related to electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades.
  • Oklahoma state residents pursuing skilled trades, indirectly benefiting from enhanced education, outreach, and workforce development efforts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • All contracts under the program require approval under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
  • Funding is contingent on fines and revenues from existing trade-related revolving funds; annual transfers are determined by the fund balance and statutory formulas.
  • Reporting: Contract recipients must provide post-project reports detailing expenditures, outcomes, and ROI.
  • The bill specifies a 18-month window for unexecuted or unperformed agreements to be released for reallocation, with continued applicability of old quotes/invoices that have already started/performed within 24 months of signing.
  • Effective date: November 1, 2025.

Potential Impacts

  • Increased collaboration between the CIB and educational institutions to expand access to skilled trades education and public awareness.
  • Creation of a dedicated funding stream for trade education and workforce development, potentially increasing program availability and outreach.
  • Greater accountability through required reporting and open-meeting approvals.
  • Financial mechanics tied to existing licensing-revolving funds, with safeguards to ensure funds are used specifically for education and workforce development in the trades.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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