OklahomaHB 1739Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Retirement; Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System; contribution; top base salary; benefit computation; effective dates; contingent effective dates; emergency.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

More support for survivors and officers

The fund pays $400 each month for every surviving child in your care until age 18, or 22 if a full‑time student. Survivors of members who died in the line of duty can use the top‑base salary method to calculate benefits. The law also lets Attorney General Agents and Military Department Police Officers use the top‑base salary rules, which can raise retirement or disability pay.

Higher OLERS pension payments for workers, employers

Members pay 9% of actual paid base salary into OLERS. Employers also pay more each year starting July 1, 2026: 12.5%, then 13.5%, 14.5%, 15.5%, and 16.5% from July 1, 2030 onward. These payments come out of payroll and raise employer costs.

New rules for OLERS disability pay

If you become disabled before normal retirement and have 3 years of service, you get a monthly payment equal to 2.5% of your final average salary times your years of service. Payments start the month of or after your retirement date and continue while you are totally and permanently disabled. The Board uses at least two doctors and pays for exams; yearly exams are required for three years if you are not at normal retirement age. If you are later found not disabled, you must return to duty and complete 20 years or lose disability rights. If you had a prehire partial disability (membership on or after July 1, 2000), your benefit is reduced by that percent unless the Board finds it unrelated; total disability pay from all sources cannot exceed 100%. You must file a completed disability application before you leave service and provide any follow‑up within six months; filing more than six months after termination makes you ineligible. The law also corrects the paragraph reference to the disability definition so the right standard applies.

Pay health premiums from your pension

If you separated from service and meet the law’s rules, you can elect to pay qualified health insurance premiums from your monthly retirement or disability payment. The System may pay premiums directly to your insurer, or to you, for distributions made after December 29, 2022. This follows the federal rule in IRC § 402(l).

When OLERS changes take effect

Section 1 takes effect October 1, 2026 if the emergency clause is not approved; if approved, it takes effect when the Governor signs the law. Sections 2 and 3 take effect November 1, 2026 without the emergency clause, or July 1, 2026 with it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Mark Chapman
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Ross Ford
Republican • House
Anthony Moore
Republican • House
Lonnie Paxton
Republican • Senate
Trey Caldwell
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 167 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/28/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 41 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

emergency

Yes: 0 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/20/2026

Committee vote: Rules

Yes: 16 • No: 1

House vote • 3/11/2026

THIRD READING

Yes: 90 • No: 3

House vote • 3/5/2026

DO PASS

Yes: 14 • No: 2

House vote • 2/17/2026