Maynard Advances Tax Credit for Pregnancy Resource Center Donations
Rep. Cody Maynard, R-Durant, on Tuesday advanced legislation that would allow a 70% tax credit for any taxpayer contributing to a pregnancy resource center beginning in tax year 2026. House Bill 1201 would cap credits at $50,000 for individuals and $5 million in total for the state annually, but excess could be carried forward to claim in the next tax year. The bill passed in the Appropriations & Budget Finance Subcommittee and now is eligible to be considered in full A&B. "Oklahoma's nearly 40 pregnancy resource centers play a vital role in assisting low-income women and families, offering services such as free ultrasounds, pregnancy tests, counseling, parenting programs, and more," Maynard said. "By incentivizing donations through this tax credit, the state not only invests in a valuable network that provides essential healthcare but also puts the power back in the hands of the people to decide which centers these tax credits will ultimately benefit." Under the provisions of the bill, the amount of the contribution must be at least $100 to qualify for the credit. The authorized credit would not be allowed to reduce the tax liability of the taxpayer to less than zero and may not be assigned, transferred or sold. Maynard filed a committee substitute of the bill that would make the credit effective for tax years 2026 through 2031 and that would require the director of the Oklahoma State Department of Health to determine, at least annually, which facilities in this state may be classified as pregnancy resource centers. The director can require whatever information is reasonably necessary to make the determination, according to the definitions of a center outlined in the bill. A friendly amendment is anticipated on the bill that would include post-birth care for mothers. If enacted, the credit would become effective Jan. 1, 2026.