House Media

Legislation expanding Oklahoma’s Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit has become law, providing additional relief to families who care for loved ones at home. Rep. Tammy West, R-Oklahoma City, authored House Bill 4118 to broaden eligibility for the tax credit and recognize additional expenses incurred by unpaid family caregivers. The measure removes the minimum age requirement for eligible family members receiving care, increases the income cap and adds mileage for medical appointments as a qualifying expense. Additionally, all filers would qualify for up to $3,000. "Family caregivers are quietly stepping up every day to meet critical needs, often without recognition or support," West said. "By expanding the Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit, we're acknowledging the real financial burden they carry and making sure more Oklahoman can access meaningful relief. This is a practical way to support strong families and keep care close to home." The credit took effect in 2024, and Oklahomans could begin claiming it on their 2025 tax returns. According to AARP, family caregivers spend around $7,200 annually caring for a family member, including transportation, medical needs and daily support. "Oklahoma’s Caring for Caregivers Tax Credit was the first of its kind when it was established a few years ago to help Oklahomans supporting an elderly family member," Hall said. "The unpaid responsibilities that many Oklahomans take on as a parent or grandparent ages often come with thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket expenses for medical care, in-home health aides and transportation to and from doctor’s visits. House Bill 4118 updates this successful tax credit to better reflect the challenges these residents face as they lovingly care for an aging family member at home." HB4118 takes effect Nov. 1, 2026. Oklahomans can begin claiming the credit's additional provisions on their 2026 tax returns.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation authored by Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany, updating Oklahoma’s process for correcting death certificates has become law without the governor’s signature.  House Bill 3931 updates state law governing requests to correct a death certificate. Under current law, corrections may only be made within one year of issuance. The measure extends that timeframe, allowing individuals to file a petition through the administrative hearing process to correct false information beyond the one-year limit.  "Oklahomans deserve to have an accurate record of their life and death," Stark said. "When a family is grieving, paperwork is not always the first thing on their mind. If an error is discovered later, they should still have a fair opportunity to make it right. We heard from families who had been waiting and following this bill closely because these records matter deeply to them and their loved ones."  The measure helps ensure official records remain accurate while providing families additional flexibility to address errors that may not be identified immediately following a loved one’s death.  Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, is the Senate author of the bill.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Jonathan Wilk, R-Goldsby, and Tim Turner, R-Kinta, along with Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, issued the following statements on Senate Bill 137 , legislation relating to Oklahoma’s Electronic Monitoring Program for inmates in the custody of the Department of Corrections. "Drunk driving can leave victims and families carrying the consequences for the rest of their lives," Wilk said. "When someone causes great bodily injury while driving under the influence, accountability matters. Victims deserve to know sentences handed down by the courts will be taken seriously and reviewed through the proper judicial process." "The Oklahoma Legislature will continue working to make sure victims receive the justice they deserve," Wilk added. "I also look forward to the Senate considering House Bill 3114 , which follows the grand jury’s recommendation to require offenders to serve at least 20% of their sentence before becoming eligible for the program."  "I am honored to be a small part of the effort to correct this oversight in our laws and make Oklahoma a safer place," said Hamilton. "Every crime eligible for the electronic monitoring program is an offense in which another person is not physically harmed. This bill was a true team effort consisting of input from both chambers, as well as prosecutors, judges, justices and citizens." "Protecting Oklahoma streets matters," Turner said. "When someone chooses to drink and drive and causes great bodily harm, that victim’s life is changed forever. Causing that kind of injury with a vehicle should be treated with the seriousness it deserves."  "Oklahomans deserve safe roads, and they deserve legislators who stand with law enforcement and victims," Turner added. "If someone seriously injures another person in a DUI crash, there should not be special treatment or special privileges that allow them to avoid serving their sentence."  SB137 modifies eligibility requirements for the state’s electronic monitoring program and adds additional restrictions for certain offenders. The measure is authored by Sen. Warren Hamilton in the Senate and Reps. Wilk and Turner in the House. The bill became law without the Governor's signature and takes effect Nov. 1, 2026.