All Roll Calls
Yes: 189 • No: 49
OklahomaHB 1955Oklahoma 2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Education; Education Leadership Oklahoma program; clarifying award coverage; increasing maximum amount; repayment; reimbursement; effective date.
Sponsored By: Waldron
Became Law
Senate Committee
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Certification bonuses for eligible Oklahoma teachers
Beginning November 1, 2025, the law provides a $5,000 annual bonus for ten years to eligible National Board-certified teachers. Teachers certified before June 30, 2013 qualify. Teachers certified after that date qualify if selected for Education Leadership Oklahoma or applying for certification before June 30, 2013. Bonuses are paid by January 31 each year and require continued full-time classroom teaching in Oklahoma public schools. The bonus does not count toward the salary schedule or retirement contributions. Teachers receiving the certification salary increment cannot also receive this bonus; teachers certified after June 30, 2013 remain eligible for that increment. The State Board must set rules checking active certification, full-time teaching, and the ten-year payment limit.
Certification cost help for Oklahoma teachers
Beginning November 1, 2025, selected Education Leadership Oklahoma applicants can get up to $1,800 toward National Board certification costs. The Commission selects no more than 100 applicants each fiscal year. It sets application rules and provides upfront payments. Selected applicants who receive no upfront payment get reimbursed after completing certification, subject to available funding. Neither payment option covers more than the actual certification cost or $1,800.
Free certification mentoring for Oklahoma teachers
Beginning November 1, 2025, teachers seeking initial National Board certification can get free mentoring for up to three years. Mentoring depends on available funding and covers both scholarship participants and teachers paying their own costs. Teachers can also request technical help and mentors who hold National Board certification. Districts can provide extra professional leave for portfolio work, with substitutes at no cost to teachers, under district policies or bargaining agreements. The State Regents must include National Board certification portfolio development in all education master's degree programs.
Teachers must repay unfinished certification awards
Beginning November 1, 2025, teachers receiving upfront certification payments must finish all submission requirements within the certification vendor's maximum timeframe. Teachers who miss that deadline must repay the Commission the full amount paid on their behalf.
Certification outreach targets underserved Oklahoma schools
Beginning November 1, 2025, recruitment must emphasize high-poverty schools, schools needing improvement, and districts with the lowest certification rates. This outreach does not guarantee teachers selection or an award. The Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability and State Board of Education jointly run Education Leadership Oklahoma. The Commission replaces the former Commission for Teacher Preparation in this role. The program informs teachers about certification and its required commitment, and recognizes teachers who earn certification.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Waldron
Affiliation unavailable
Cosponsors
Jared Deck
Democratic • House
Pittman
Affiliation unavailable
Aaron Reinhardt
Republican • Senate
Jacob Rosecrants
Democratic • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/15/2025
FOURTH READING
Yes: 52 • No: 28
Senate vote • 5/8/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 42 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Committee vote: Education
Yes: 10 • No: 1
House vote • 3/17/2025
THIRD READING
Yes: 65 • No: 20
House vote • 3/3/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 9 • No: 0
House vote • 2/19/2025
DO PASS
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/25/2025
5/27/2025HouseSent to Governor
5/19/2025HouseEnrolled measure signed, returned to House
5/19/2025SenateEnrolled, signed, to Senate
5/19/2025HouseReferred for enrollment
5/15/2025HouseFourth Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 52 Nays: 28
5/15/2025HouseSA's read, adopted
5/15/2025HouseSA's received
5/12/2025HouseEngrossed to House
5/12/2025SenateReferred for engrossment
5/8/2025SenateMeasure passed: Ayes: 42 Nays: 0
5/8/2025SenateGeneral Order, Considered
5/8/2025SenatePlaced on General Order
4/17/2025SenateCoauthored by Representative Pittman
4/16/2025SenateReported Do Pass as amended Education committee; CR filed
4/15/2025SenateSecond Reading referred to Education
4/1/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/18/2025SenateEngrossed, signed, to Senate
3/18/2025HouseReferred for engrossment
3/17/2025HouseThird Reading, Measure passed: Ayes: 65 Nays: 20
3/17/2025HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Deck
3/17/2025HouseGeneral Order
3/17/2025HouseAuthored by Senator Reinhardt (principal Senate author)
3/4/2025HouseCR; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Education Oversight Committee
3/4/2025HouseCoauthored by Representative(s) Rosecrants
2/24/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled (final version)
5/19/2025
Amended And Engrossed
5/12/2025
Floor (Senate)
4/16/2025
Senate Committee Report
4/15/2025
Engrossed
3/18/2025
Floor (House)
3/4/2025
House Committee Report
3/4/2025
House Committee Substitute
3/4/2025
House Policy Committee Report
2/24/2025
Introduced
1/16/2025
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