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Bill > SB2040
OK SB2040
OK SB2040Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program; modifying eligibility; removing certain eligibility criteria. Emergency.
summary
Introduced
02/02/2026
02/02/2026
In Committee
03/31/2026
03/31/2026
Crossed Over
03/26/2026
03/26/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An Act relating to the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program; amending 70 O.S. 2021, Sections 2621, 2623, and 2625, which relate to creation of and eligibility for the program; providing purpose of program; modifying eligibility for program; increasing income limit for certain eligibility; directing income limit to be adjusted annually; exempting certain applicants from certain income limit; allowing certain form to be used to verify income; removing certain eligibility criteria; directing the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to give first priority status to certain applicants; modifying process for verifying documentation of lineage; directing certain rules to include certain criteria; requiring application form to include certain language; removing language authorizing annual award of scholarships to certain students; directing the State Regents to involve certain community advisory committee in selection process; providing for composition of and appointments to advisory committee; directing certain university president to submit a list of proposed members; directing advisory committee to review certain applications and make certain recommendations; directing the State Regents to select recipients from certain list; prescribing income limitation for eligibility retention; limiting the number of scholarships that may be awarded to certain students; defining term; directing certain students to be given priority; allowing certain grants and scholarships to be used on certain expenses; directing certain applicants to always be given first priority status; updating statutory language; and declaring an emergency.
AI Summary
This bill modifies the Tulsa Reconciliation Education and Scholarship Program to expand eligibility and streamline the application process. Key changes include increasing the income limit for applicants to $128,000 annually, with this limit adjusted each year based on the Consumer Price Index, and exempting direct lineal descendants of victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre from any income limit. The bill also removes previous requirements for applicants to have attended specific Tulsa public schools or lived in certain census tracts, and clarifies that the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) can be used to verify income. It establishes a community advisory committee, composed of various stakeholders including descendants of those affected by the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, to assist the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in the scholarship selection process, giving first priority to direct lineal descendants. Additionally, the bill allows scholarship funds to be used for a broader range of educational expenses, such as fees, textbooks, and room and board, and clarifies that up to three hundred scholarships can be awarded annually.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Referred to Appropriations and Budget Education Subcommittee (on 03/31/2026)
Official Document
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