Bill > HB3980

This bill establishes the "Rural District Attorney Loan Repayment Assistance Program" to help assistant district attorneys in Oklahoma who have student loan debt. An "eligible employee" is a full-time assistant district attorney with a "qualified education loan," which is debt for tuition, fees, books, or materials for higher education. The program allows the District Attorneys Council to make direct payments to loan providers, with a maximum of $5,000 per year and a total of $50,000 per employee. To receive this assistance, employees must work in a "designated high-need jurisdiction" for a specific number of hours for every $5,000 of loan paid, known as the "required payback period." If an employee leaves a designated high-need jurisdiction before completing their required service, they must repay the assistance on a pro-rata basis. A selection committee will identify high-need jurisdictions based on factors like population, remoteness, and turnover rates. The bill also creates a "Rural District Attorney Loan Repayment Assistance Program Revolving Fund" to hold and disburse money for these loan payments, and it clarifies that participation in the program does not create a guaranteed right to payments, as they are dependent on available funding. This program will become effective on November 1, 2026.

Budget and Finance

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb3980&Session=2600