Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session Status: To Executive 2 R cosponsors

SB 363 — Higher education; exempting certain private and out-of-state institutions from accreditation. Effective date. Emergency.

Last action — Vetoed 05/06/2025

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed Senate
  4. ✓
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 03, 2025. It awaits signature.

Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt (Republican) on April 30, 2025.

Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.

Prognosis

Likely to advance 66% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • To Executive

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 2 sponsors

    2 primary, 0 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (2 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 recorded votes so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

136 added · 150 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill SB 363 includes the addition of definitions for "non-degree-granting activity" and "religious degree-granting institution." It clarifies what constitutes an institution that grants degrees and distinguishes it from those that offer training without a degree. These changes matter because they help regulate and define the standards for higher education institutions, ensuring clarity for both students and the institutions themselves about what types of education are being provided.

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Latest
ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO.
An Act ENROLLED SENATE BILL NO.
Jech of the Senate and Moore of the House 5 An Act relating to higher education;
Jech of the Senate and Moore of the House An Act relating to higher education;
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SUBJECT:
Higher education BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
ENGR.
2.
S.
B.
NO.
363 Page 1 2.
and offers education leading to an associate’s degree or higher where the purpose, content, and name of all degrees offered by the institution meet the criteria set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection B of Section 4104 of this title.
and offers education leading to an associate’s degree or higher where the purpose, content, and name of all degrees offered by the institution meet the criteria set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection B of Section of this title.
By offering any degrees not meeting the criteria set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection B of Section 4104 of this title, an institution fails to meet the definition of a religious degree-granting institution and remains subject to the requirements for degree-granting institutions in subsection B of this section as to those degrees;
By offering any degrees not meeting the criteria set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection B of Section of this title, an institution fails to meet the definition of a religious degree-granting institution and remains subject to the requirements for degree-granting institutions in subsection B of this section as to those degrees;
All private and out-of-state public degree-granting institutions shall be accredited by an accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education as a reliable authority as to the quality of education or ENGR.
All private and out-of-state public degree-granting institutions shall be accredited by an accrediting agency which is recognized by the Secretary of the United States Department of Education as a reliable authority as to the quality of education or training offered by institutions of higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and be domiciled within the United States or a United States district or territory.
Additionally, for the purposes of consumer protection and to maintain financial eligibility for Title IV funding as described in 34 CFR Part 600, institutions shall be authorized according to the policies and procedures established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
These policies and procedures shall be limited to the minimum those necessary to ensure that private and out-of-state degree-granting institutions that operate in this state by any modality meet the same standards and outcomes of academic quality, student consumer protection, and fiscal ENR.
363 Page 2 training offered by institutions of higher education for the purposes of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and be domiciled within the United States or a United States district or territory.
363 Page 2 responsibility required for comparable institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
Additionally, for the purposes of consumer protection and to maintain financial eligibility for Title IV funding as described in 34 CFR Part 600, institutions shall be authorized according to the policies and procedures established by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
These policies and procedures shall be limited to the minimum those necessary to ensure that private and out-of-state degree-granting institutions that operate in this state by any modality meet the same standards and outcomes of academic quality, student consumer protection, and fiscal responsibility required for comparable institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.
Be authorized to deny, not renew, or revoke an institution’s authorization if it is found to be in violation of the Oklahoma ENGR.
Be authorized to deny, not renew, or revoke an institution’s authorization if it is found to be in violation of the Oklahoma statutes, it fails to meet the minimum authorization standards established by the State Regents, or an accrediting agency or other government entity revokes its approval, which is material to the continuity of the institution.
S.
B.
NO.
363 Page 3 statutes, it fails to meet the minimum authorization standards established by the State Regents, or an accrediting agency or other government entity revokes its approval, which is material to the continuity of the institution.
D.
ENR.
Non-exempt institutions exclusively engaged in non-degree granting non-degree-granting activities, such as offering ENGR.
363 Page 4 certificates and diplomas, shall be subject to the standards administered by the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools.
363 Page 3 D.
Non-exempt institutions exclusively engaged in non-degree granting non-degree-granting activities, such as offering certificates and diplomas, shall be subject to the standards administered by the Oklahoma Board of Private Vocational Schools.
The religious modifier shall be ENGR.
The religious modifier shall be placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications.
S.
B.
NO.
363 Page 5 placed on the degree, on the transcript, and wherever the title of the degree appears in official school documents or publications.
Passed the Senate the 24th day of March, 2025.
ENR.
Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives ENGR.
363 Page 6
363 Page 4 Passed the Senate the 24th day of March, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the 29th day of April, 2025.
Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR Received by the Office of the Governor this ____________________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
By:
_________________________________ Approved by the Governor of the State of Oklahoma this _________ day of ___________________, 20_______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
_________________________________ Governor of the State of Oklahoma OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE Received by the Office of the Secretary of State this __________ day of __________________, 20 _______, at _______ o'clock _______ M.
Show all 46 changed rows (6 more)
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By:
_________________________________ ENR.
S.
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NO.
363 Page 5
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View plain text versions (5)

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill updates accreditation requirements and exemptions for private and out-of-state higher education institutions in Oklahoma.

  • 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4103

    is domiciled within the United States or a United States district or territory; → is domiciled within the United States or a United States district or territory; is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 26 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3); and offers education leading to an associate’s degree or higher where the purpose, content, and name of all degrees offered by the institution meet the criteria set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of subsection B of Section 4104 of this title.

    The definition of 'religious degree-granting institution' is expanded to include specific tax exemption criteria and degree requirements.

  • 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4103

    requirements for degree-granting institutions in subsection B of this section as to those degrees; → requirements for degree-granting institutions in subsection B of this section as to those degrees; and

    Clarifies how institutions may fail to meet the definition of a religious degree-granting institution.

  • 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4103

    The following institutions shall be exempt from this section: → The following institutions shall be exempt from this section:

    Lists specific exemptions for private and out-of-state institutions from accreditation requirements.

  • 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4103

    enforcement of accreditation and degree-granting requirements; → to ensure that private and out-of-state degree-granting institutions that operate in this state by any modality meet the same standards and outcomes of academic quality, student consumer protection, and fiscal responsibility required for comparable institutions of higher education within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education.

    Ensures that private and out-of-state institutions uphold standards equivalent to in-state institutions.

  • 70 O.S. 2021, Section 4104

    This section shall not apply to religious degrees which are used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or any institution of higher education whose primary sole purpose is to provide religious training or theological education → This section shall not apply to religious degrees which are used solely for religious purposes within a religious organization or any institution of higher education whose primary sole purpose is to provide religious training or theological education and which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, 26 U.S.C., Section 501(c)(3).

    Clarifies the exemption criteria for religious degree programs from obtaining authorization.

Action History

  1. Vetoed 05/06/2025

  2. Sent to Governor

  3. Signed, returned to Senate

  4. Enrolled, to House

  5. Referred for enrollment

  6. Signed, returned to Senate

  7. Third Reading, Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 83 Nays: 0

  8. General Order

  9. CR; Do Pass Education Oversight Committee

  10. Policy recommendation to the Education Oversight committee; Do Pass Postsecondary Education

  11. Referred to Postsecondary Education

  12. Second Reading referred to Education Oversight

  13. First Reading

  14. Engrossed to House

  15. Referred for engrossment

  16. Measure and Emergency passed: Ayes: 46 Nays: 0

  17. General Order, Considered

  18. Coauthored by Representative Moore (principal House author)

  19. Placed on General Order

  20. Reported Do Pass Education committee; CR filed

  21. Second Reading referred to Education

  22. Authored by Senator Jech

  23. First Reading

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

Export CSV (upgrade) →

2 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 149 not signed on · 2 voted No

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (149)

149 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 149 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Third Reading

Passed 83 Yea · 0 Nay · 15 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 690010
Democrat 10004
Unaffiliated 4002
Total 830016
% of votes cast 84%0%0%16%
How each member voted (99)
Member Party Vote
Bennett — Yea
Pittman — Yea
Mr. Speaker — Yea
Alonso-Sandoval — Not Voting
VACANCY: — Not Voting
Crosswhite Hader — Yea
Andy Fugate Democrat Yea
Annie Menz Democrat Not Voting
Cyndi Munson Democrat Yea
Ellen Pogemiller Democrat Not Voting
Ellyn Hefner Democrat Yea
Jacob Rosecrants Democrat Yea
Jared Deck Democrat Yea
John Waldron Democrat Yea
Melissa Provenzano Democrat Yea
Meloyde Blancett Democrat Yea
Michelle McCane Democrat Yea
Mickey Dollens Democrat Not Voting
Suzanne Schreiber Democrat Not Voting
Trish Ranson Democrat Yea
Anthony Moore Republican Yea
Bob Ed Culver Republican Yea
Brad Boles Republican Yea
Brian Hill Republican Yea
Carl Newton Republican Not Voting
Chad Caldwell Republican Yea
Chris Banning Republican Yea
Chris Kannady Republican Not Voting
Chris Sneed Republican Yea
Chuck Hall Republican Yea
Clay Staires Republican Yea
Cody Maynard Republican Yea
Collin Duel Republican Yea
Cynthia Roe Republican Yea
Daniel Pae Republican Yea
Danny Sterling Republican Yea
Danny Williams Republican Yea
David Hardin Republican Yea
David Smith Republican Yea
Dell Kerbs Republican Yea
Derrick Hildebrant Republican Yea
Dick Lowe Republican Yea
Eddy Dempsey Republican Yea
Emily Gise Republican Yea
Eric Roberts Republican Yea
Erick Harris Republican Yea
Gabe Woolley Republican Yea
George Burns Republican Yea
Gerrid Kendrix Republican Not Voting
Jack Stewart Republican Yea
Jason Blair Republican Yea
Jay Steagall Republican Not Voting
Jim Grego Republican Yea
Jim Olsen Republican Yea
Jim Shaw Republican Yea
John George Republican Yea
John Kane Republican Yea
John Pfeiffer Republican Not Voting
Jonathan Wilk Republican Yea
Josh Cantrell Republican Yea
Josh West Republican Yea
Judd Strom Republican Yea
Justin Humphrey Republican Yea
Ken Luttrell Republican Yea
Kenton Patzkowsky Republican Yea
Kevin West Republican Yea
Marilyn Stark Republican Yea
Mark Chapman Republican Not Voting
Mark Lawson Republican Not Voting
Mark Lepak Republican Yea
Mark Tedford Republican Not Voting
Max Wolfley Republican Yea
Mike Dobrinski Republican Yea
Mike Kelley Republican Yea
Mike Lay Republican Yea
Mike Osburn Republican Yea
Molly Jenkins Republican Yea
Neil Hays Republican Yea
Nick Archer Republican Yea
Nicole Miller Republican Yea
Preston Stinson Republican Not Voting
Rande Worthen Republican Yea
Rick West Republican Yea
Robert Manger Republican Yea
Ronny Johns Republican Yea
Ross Ford Republican Not Voting
Rusty Cornwell Republican Yea
Ryan Eaves Republican Yea
Scott Fetgatter Republican Yea
Stacy Jo Adams Republican Yea
Stan May Republican Yea
Steve Bashore Republican Yea
T.J. Marti Republican Yea
Tammy Townley Republican Yea
Tammy West Republican Yea
Tim Turner Republican Yea
Tom Gann Republican Yea
Toni Hasenbeck Republican Yea
Trey Caldwell Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Third Reading

Passed 46 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 38001
Democrat 8000
Total 46001
% of votes cast 98%0%0%2%
How each member voted (47)
Member Party Vote
Carri Hicks Democrat Yea
Jo Anna Dossett Democrat Yea
Julia Kirt Democrat Yea
Mark Mann Democrat Yea
Mary B. Boren Democrat Yea
Michael Brooks Democrat Yea
Nikki Nice Democrat Yea
Regina Goodwin Democrat Yea
Aaron Reinhardt Republican Yea
Adam Pugh Republican Yea
Ally Seifried Republican Yea
Avery Frix Republican Yea
Bill Coleman Republican Yea
Brenda Stanley Republican Yea
Brent Howard Republican Yea
Brian Guthrie Republican Yea
Casey Murdock Republican Yea
Christi Gillespie Republican Yea
Chuck Hall Republican Not Voting
Dana Prieto Republican Yea
Darcy Jech Republican Yea
Dave Rader Republican Yea
David Bullard Republican Yea
District 24 Republican Yea
Dusty Deevers Republican Yea
George Burns Republican Yea
Grant Green Republican Yea
Jack Stewart Republican Yea
Jerry Alvord Republican Yea
John Haste Republican Yea
Jonathan Wingard Republican Yea
Julie Daniels Republican Yea
Julie McIntosh Republican Yea
Kelly Hines Republican Yea
Kendal Sacchieri Republican Yea
Kristen Thompson Republican Yea
Lisa Standridge Republican Yea
Lonnie Paxton Republican Yea
Micheal Bergstrom Republican Yea
Paul Rosino Republican Yea
Randy Grellner Republican Yea
Roland Pederson Republican Yea
Shane Jett Republican Yea
Spencer Kern Republican Yea
Todd Gollihare Republican Yea
Tom Woods Republican Yea
Warren Hamilton Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 363?
SB 363 is sponsored by Darcy Jech (Republican) and Anthony Moore (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 363?
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 03, 2025. It awaits signature.
Where can I track SB 363?
Track SB 363 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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