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Bill

SB 1336

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

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kristen Thompson

Oklahoma bill creates tuition/fee waivers for veterans in higher education, though funding source and eligibility criteria remain to be determined through committee review.

Referred to Education
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Bill Summary · SB 1336

Legislative bill overview

SB 1336 creates the Oklahoma Veterans Higher Education Access Act, which would establish tuition and fee waivers for veterans attending Oklahoma higher education institutions. The bill specifies the calculation methodology for waiver amounts and includes provisions for how institutions should process and account for these waivers.

Why is this important

Veterans represent a significant population pursuing education benefits, and tuition waivers directly affect both veteran affordability and state higher education costs. The bill's emergency effective date suggests lawmakers view this as time-sensitive, potentially addressing a gap in current veteran education support or responding to institutional implementation needs.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding mechanism unclear: The bill's language doesn't specify whether institutions absorb waiver costs, the state reimburses them, or funds come from existing budgets—a critical question for higher education budgets already under pressure
  • Scope definition ambiguous: "Certain waivers" suggests selective eligibility criteria that aren't detailed in this summary; unclear which veterans qualify (service-connected disability, income-based, all honorably discharged, etc.)
  • Appropriations pathway: Referral to Appropriations Committee indicates potential fiscal impact concerns that may generate debate over state spending priorities during budget season

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

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