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Bill

HB 1256

Professions and occupations; construction skilled trade education; modifying contract terms; effective date.

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

Creates a dedicated fund and expanded CIB authority to develop and fund skilled trades education and workforce programs for electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades.

Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/06/2025
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Bill Summary · HB 1256

Summary of HB 1256 (2026, Oklahoma)

Purpose and Intent

HB 1256, as amended and enacted, seeks to promote skilled trades education in Oklahoma’s construction-related professions (electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing) by expanding the Construction Industries Board’s (CIB) duties, creating a dedicated fund for skilled trade education and workforce development, and authorizing contracts with state career and technology education entities to develop curricula and workforce initiatives. The measure directs funding and accountability mechanisms to support education, outreach, and alignment with licensing standards.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Expanded authority for the Construction Industries Board (CIB):

    • The CIB may receive and share information related to skilled trades and workforce development.
    • The CIB can contract with:
    • The Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (OCCTE) or fully accredited vocational/technical schools receiving state appropriations, or any accredited higher education system in Oklahoma.
    • Contract purpose may include:
    • Developing and implementing instructional courses on statutes and rules governing electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades.
    • Aligning courses with statewide trade codes and advancing the four trades.
    • Creating and implementing a workforce development program to generate interest in skilled trades, potentially using online platforms, school presentations, community outreach, and information campaigns.

  • Contract oversight and accountability:

    • All contracts under this section must be approved under the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act.
    • Education and workforce development program costs are funded from the new Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund, financed by administrative fines or penalties described in the section.
    • Proposals must justify costs, ROI, value, and viability; recipients must report upon contract completion detailing expenditures, outreach impact, and ROI.

  • Fines and funding transfers:

    • Fines collected by the Board and deposited into existing revolving funds for Mechanical Licensing, Electrical, Plumbing Licensing, and Roofing Contractor Registration may be transferred to the new Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund to support:
    • Development of instructional materials on laws, statutes, rules, and licensing standards.
    • Covering costs of curriculum development, equipment, materials, and personnel.
    • Supporting the workforce development program to promote trades as a career.

  • Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund:

    • Created within the state treasury as a revolving fund to be used by the CIB for workforce development and trade education activities.
    • Fund is financed by transfers of fully adjudicated fines from the relevant trade revolving funds (as determined by the statute).
    • Expenditures require warrants issued by the State Treasurer on OMES-approved claims.
    • If funds from the revolving pools (excluding fines) exceed expenses and encumbrances, 100% of fully adjudicated fine revenue may be transferred to the new fund.
    • If fund receipts fall short of expenses, there may be no transfer for that period.
    • If total receipts (including fines) are insufficient to cover expenses, transfers are paused.
    • Unexpended or outstanding funds from past contracts not yet approved or performed within 18 months may be released for future agreements, with exceptions for previously approved quotes/invoices.

  • Operational and governance details:

    • Funds from the new program can only be used to advance trade-related education and workforce development, subject to availability and statutory limitations.
    • Expenditures require standard state budgeting and payment procedures.

Affected Parties

  • Construction Industries Board (CIB): Gains authority to contract for education and workforce programs and to manage the new fund.
  • Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education (OCCTE) / Vocational-Technical Schools / Accredited Education Institutions: Potential partners delivering curriculum and workforce development programs.
  • Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Roofing Trades: Beneficiaries of improved training materials, courses, and workforce development outreach.
  • Fund and Revenue Streams: Oklahoma Mechanical Licensing Revolving Fund, Electrical Revolving Fund, Plumbing Licensing Revolving Fund, Roofing Contractor Registration Revolving Fund, and the new Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund.

Timelines and Effective Date

  • The act is effective November 1, 2025.
  • The bill went through multiple committee reviews and amendments, ultimately becoming law without the governor’s signature as of May 6, 2025, per the action history.

Practical Implications

  • Creates a structured funding mechanism to expand and improve skilled trades education for regulated trades.
  • Encourages collaboration between the CIB and state education entities to align curricula with licensing standards and statutory requirements.
  • Establishes reporting requirements and performance accountability to demonstrate return on investment.
  • Provides a financial pipeline (via fines) to support ongoing trade education and outreach efforts, potentially increasing workforce participation in construction trades over time.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with prior law (59 O.S. 2021 §1000.4a) or prepare a plain-language explainer for non-technical audiences.

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

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