SB577 HFLR Page 1 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - FLOOR VERSION STATE OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 60th Legislature (2025) ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 577 By: Rader of the Senate and Pae of the House An Act relating to ad valorem tax; amending 68 O.S. 2021, Section 2902, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 390, O.S.L. 2022 (68 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 2902), which relates to the exemption from ad valorem tax for manufacturing facilities; requiring facilities to provide certain information; requiring the Oklahoma Tax Commission to provide certain data to the Incentive Evaluation Commission; amending 68 O.S. 2021, Section 205, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 208, O.S.L. 2024 (68 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 205), which relates to the confidential nature of records and files of the Oklahoma Tax Commission; excepting and requiring the disclosure of information; updating statutory language; updating statutory reference; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 68 O.S. 2021, Section 2902, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 390, O.S.L. 2022 (68 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 2902), is amended to read as follows: Section 2902. A. Except as otherwise provided by subsection H of Section 3658 of this title pursuant to which the exemption SB577 HFLR Page 2 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 authorized by this section may not be claimed, a qualifying manufacturing concern, as defined by Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution, and as further defined herein, shall be exempt from the levy of any ad valorem taxes upon new, expanded or acquired manufacturing facilities including facilities engaged in research and development, for a period of five (5) years. The provisions of Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitutio n requiring an existing facility to have been unoccupied for a period of twelve (12) months prior to acquisition shall be construed as a qualification for a facility to initially receive an exemption, and shall not be deemed to be a qualification for that facility to continue to receive an exemption in each of the four (4) years following the initial year for which the exemption was granted. Such facilities are hereby classified for the purposes of taxation as provided in Section 22 of Article X of the Okl ahoma Constitution. B. For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: 1. “Manufacturing facilities ” means facilities engaged in the mechanical or chemical transformation of materials or substances into new products and except as pro vided by paragraph 6 of subsection C of this section shall include: a. establishments which have received a manufacturer exemption permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 1359.2 of this title, SB577 HFLR Page 3 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 b. facilities including repair and replacement parts, primarily engaged in aircraft repair, building and rebuilding whether or not on a factory basis, c. establishments primarily engaged in computer services and data processing as defined under Industrial Group Numbers 5112 and 5415, and U.S. Industry Number 3346 11 and 519130 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and which derive at least fifty percent (50%) of thei r annual gross revenues from the sale of a product or service to an out-of-state buyer or consumer, and as defined under Industrial Group Number 5182 o f the NAICS Manual, latest revision, which derive at least eighty percent (80%) of their annual gross revenues from the sale of a product or service to an out -of- state buyer or consumer. Eligibility as a manufacturing facility pursuant to this subparagrap h shall be established, subject to review by the Oklahoma Tax Commission, by annually filing an affidavit with the Tax Commission stating that the facility so qualifies and such other information as required by the Tax Commission. For purposes of determining whether annual gross revenues are derived from sales to out-of-state buyers, all sales to the SB577 HFLR Page 4 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 federal government shall be considered to be an out - of-state buyer, d. facilities that the investment cost of the construction, acquisition or expansion is Fi ve Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00) or more with respect to assets placed into service during calen dar year 2022. For subsequent calendar years, the investment required shall be increased annually by a percentage equal to the previous year’s increase in the Consumer Price Index-All Urban Consumers ( “CPI-U”) and such adjusted amount shall be the required investment cost in order to qualify for the exemption authorized by this section. The Oklahoma Department of Commerce shall determine the amount of the increase, if any, on January 1 of each year. The Oklahoma Tax Commission shall publish on its websit e at least annually the adjusted dollar amount in order to qualify for the exemption authorized by this section and shall include the adjusted dollar a mount in any of its relevant forms or publications with respect to the exemption. Provided, “investment cost” shall not include the cost of direct replacement, refurbishment, repair or maintenance of existing machinery or equipment, except that “investment cost” investment cost shall include SB577 HFLR Page 5 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 capital expenditures for direct replacement, refurbishment, repair or maintenance of existing machinery or equipment that qualifies for depreciation and/or amortization pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and such expenditures shall be eligible as a part of an “expansion” expansion that otherwise qualifies under this section, e. establishments primarily engaged in distribution as defined under Industry Numbers 49311, 49312, 49313 and 49319 and Industry Sector Number 42 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and which meet the following qualifications: (1) construction with an initial capital investment of at least Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000.00), (2) employment of at least one hundred (100) ful l- time-equivalent employees, as certified by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, (3) payment of wages or salaries to its employees at a wage which equals or exceeds the average wage requirements in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act for the year in which the real property was placed into service, and (4) commencement of construction on or after No vember 1, 2007, with construction to be completed within SB577 HFLR Page 6 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 three (3) years from the date of the commencement of construction, f. facilities engaged in th e manufacturing, compounding, processing or fabrication of materials into articles of tangible personal property according to the special order of a customer (custom order manufacturing) by manufacturers classified as operating in North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Sectors 32 and 33, but does not include such custom order manufacturing by m anufacturers classified in other NAICS code sectors, and g. with respect to any entity making an application for the exemption authorized by this secti on on or after January 1, 2023, the establishment making application for exempt treatment of real or personal property acquired or improved beginning January 1, 2022, and for any calendar year thereafter, the entity shall be required to pay new direct jobs , as defined by Section 3603 of this title for purposes of the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act, an aver age annualized wage which equals or exceeds the average wage requirement in the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act for the year in which the real or per sonal property was placed into service. The Oklahoma Tax Commission may request SB577 HFLR Page 7 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 verification from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce that an establishment seeking an exemption for real or personal property pays an average annualized wage that equals or exceeds the average wage requirement in effect for the year in which the real or personal property was placed into service. For purposes of this subparagraph, it shall not be necessary for the establishment to qualify for incentive payments pursuant to the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act, but the establishment shall be subject to the wage requirements of the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program Act with respect to new direct jobs in order to qualify for the exempt treatment authorized by this section. Eligibility as a manufacturing facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall be established, subject to review by th e Tax Commission, by annually filing an affidavit with the Tax Commission stating that the facility so qualifies and containing such other information as required by the Tax Commission. Provided, eating and drinking places, as well as other retail establishments, shall not qualify as manufacturing facilities for purposes of this section, nor shall centrally assessed properties. Eligibility as a manufactu ring facility pursuant to this subparagraph shall be established, subject to review by the Tax Commission, by annually filing an application with the Tax SB577 HFLR Page 8 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Commission stating that the facility so qualifies and containing such other information as required by the Tax Commission; 2. “Facility” and “facilities”, except as otherwise provided by this section, means and includes the land, buildings, structures and improvements used directly and exclusively in the manufacturing process. Effective January 1, 2022, and for each calendar year thereafter, for establishments which have received a manufacturer exemption permit pursuant to the provisions of Section 1359.2 of this title, or facilities engaged in manufacturing activities defined or classified in the NAICS M anual under Industry Nos. 311111 through 339999, inclusive, but for no other establishments, facility and facilities means and includes the land, buildings, structures, improvements, machinery, fixtures, equipment and other personal property used directly and exclusively in the manufacturing process; and 3. “Research and development ” means activities directl y related to and conducted for the purpose of discovering, enhancing, increasing or improving future or existing products or processes or productivity. C. The following provisions shall apply: 1. A manufacturing concern shall be entitled to the exemption herein provided for each new manufacturing facility constructed, each existing manufacturing facility acquired and the expansion of existing manufacturing facilities on the same site, as such terms SB577 HFLR Page 9 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 are defined by Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Co nstitution and by this section; 2. No manufacturing concern shall receive more than one five - year exemption for any one manufacturing facility unless the expansion which qualifies the manufacturing facility for an additional five-year exemption meets the requirements of paragraph 4 of this subsection and the employment level established for any previous exemption is maintained; 3. Any exemption as to t he expansion of an existing manufacturing facility shall be limited to the increase in ad valorem taxes directly attributable to the expansion; 4. All initial applications for any exemption for a new, acquired or expanded manufacturing facility shall be g ranted only if: a. there is a net increase in annualized base payroll over the initial payroll of at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) if the facility is located in a county with a population of fewer than seventy-five thousand (75,000 ), according to the most recent Federal Decennial Census, while maintaining or increasing base payroll in subsequent years, or at least One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) if the facility is located in a county with a population of seventy-five thousand (75,000) or more, according to SB577 HFLR Page 10 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 the most recent Federal Decennial Census, while maintaining or increasing base payroll in subsequent years; provided, the payroll requirement of this subparagraph shall be waived for claims for exemptions including claims previ ously denied or on appeal on March 3, 2010, for all initial applications for exemption filed on or after January 1, 2004, and on or before March 31, 2009, and all subsequent annual exemption applications filed related to the initial application for exempti on, for an applicant, if the facility has been located in Oklahoma for at least fifteen (15) years engaged in marine engine manufacturing as defined under U.S. Industry Number 333618 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, and has maintained an average emplo yment of five hundred (500) or more full-time-equivalent employees over a ten -year period. Any applicant that qualifies for the payroll requirement waiver as outlined in the previous sentence and subsequently closes its Oklahoma manufacturing plant prior to January 1, 2012, may be disqualified for exemption and subject to recapture. For an applicant engaged in paperboard manufacturing as defined under U.S. Industry Number 322130 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, union master payouts SB577 HFLR Page 11 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 paid by the buyer of the facility to specified individuals employed by the facility at the time of purchase, as specified u nder the purchase agreement, shall be excluded from payroll for purposes of this section. In order to provide certainty with respect to investments in manufacturing facilities pertaining to all initial applications for exemption filed on or after January 1, 2016, the following definitions shall apply: (1) “base payroll” shall mean total payroll adjusted for any nonrecurring bonuses, exercise of stock option or stock rights and other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll, and (2) “initial payroll” shall mean base payroll for the year immediately preceding the initial construction, acquisition or expansion. The Tax Commission shall ver ify payroll information through the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission by using reports from the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission for the calendar year immediately preceding the year for which initial application is made for base -line SB577 HFLR Page 12 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 payroll, which must be maintained or increased for each subsequent year; provided, a manufacturing facility shall have the option of excluding from its payroll, for purposes of this section: i. payments to sole proprietors, members of a partnership, members of a li mited liability company who own at least ten percent (10%) of the capital of the limited liability company or stockholder-employees of a corporation who own at least ten percent (10%) of the stock in the corporation, and ii. any nonrecurring bonuses, exerc ise of stock option or stock rights or other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll numbers as reported by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. A manufacturing facility electing either option shall indicate such election upon its application for an exemption under this section. Any manufacturing facility electing either option shall submit SB577 HFLR Page 13 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 such information as the Tax Commission may require in order to verify payroll information. Payroll information submitted pursuant to the p rovisions of this paragraph shall be submitted to the Tax Commission and shall be subject to the provisions of Section 205 of this title, and b. the facility offers, or will offer within one hundred eighty (180) days of the date of employment, a basic health benefits plan to the full -time-equivalent employees of the facility, which is determined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to consist of the elements specified in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 3603 of this title or elemen ts substantially equivalent thereto. For purposes of this section, calculation of the amount of increased base payroll shall be measured from the start of initial construction or expansion to the completion of such construction or expansion or for three (3 ) years from the start of initial construction or expansion, whichever occurs first. The amount of increased base payroll shall include payroll for full -time- equivalent employees in this state who are employed by an entity other than the facility which ha s previously or is currently SB577 HFLR Page 14 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 qualified to receive an exemption pursuant to the provisions of this section and who are leased or otherwise provided to the facility, if such employment did not exist in this state prior to the start of initial construction or expansion of the facility. The manufacturing concern shall submit an affidavit to the Tax Commission, signed by an officer, stating that the construction, acquisition or expansion of the facility will result in a net increase in the annualized base payro ll as required by this paragraph and that full -time-equivalent employees of the facility are or will be offered a basic health benefits plan as required by this paragraph. If, after the completion of such construction or expansion or after three (3) years from the start of initial construction or expansion, whichever occurs first, the construction, acquisition or expansion has not resulted in a net increase in the amount of annualized base payroll, if required, or any other qualification specified in this paragraph has not been met, the manufacturing concern shall pay an amount equal to the amount of any exemption granted including penalties and interest thereon, to the Tax Commission for deposit to the Ad Valorem Reimbursement Fund; 5. Except as otherwise provided by this paragraph, any new, acquired or expanded computer data processing, data preparation or information processing services provider classified in U.S. Industry Number 518210 of the North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Manual, 2017 revision, may apply for exemptions under this SB577 HFLR Page 15 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 section for each year in which new, acquired, or ex panded capital improvements to the facility are made for assets placed in service not later than December 31, 2021, if: a. there is a net increase in a nnualized payroll of the applicant at any facility or facilities of the applicant in this state of at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00), which is attributable to the capital improvements, or a net increase of Seven Million Dollars ($7, 000,000.00) or more in capital improvements, while maintaining or increasing payroll at the facility or f acilities in this state which are included in the application, and b. the facility offers, or will offer within one hundred eighty (180) days of the da te of employment of new employees attributable to the capital improvements, a basic health benefits plan to the full -time-equivalent employees of the facility, which is determined by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to consist of the elements specified in subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection A of Section 3603 of this title or elements substantially equivalent thereto. An establishment described by this paragraph, the primary business activity of which is described by Industry No. 518210 of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Manual, SB577 HFLR Page 16 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 2017 revision, that has applied for and been granted an exemption for personal property at any time within five (5) years prior to November 1, 2021, may apply for exemptions for items of eligible personal property to be located within improvements to real property and such real property and improvemen ts having been exempt from ad valorem taxation prior to November 1, 2021, pursuant to the provisions of this section if such personal property is place d in service not later than December 31, 2036. No additional personal property of such establishment placed in service after such date shall qualify for the exempt treatment otherwise authorized pursuant to this paragraph; 6. Effective January 1, 2017, a n entity engaged in electric power generation by means of wind, as described by the North American Industry Classification System, No. 221119, shall not be defined as a qualifying manufacturing concern for purposes of the exemption otherwise authorized pur suant to Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution or qualify as a “manufacturing facility” manufacturing facility as defined in this section. No initial application for exemption shall be filed by or accepted from an entity engaged in electric power generation by means of wind on or after January 1, 2018; 7. An entity or applicant engaged in an industry as defined under U.S. Industry Number 324110 of the NAICS Manual, latest revision, which has applied for or been granted an exemption for a SB577 HFLR Page 17 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 time period which began on or after calendar year 2012 and before calendar year 2016 but which did not meet the payroll requirements of subparagraph a of paragraph 4 of this subsection because of nonrecurring bonuses, exercise of stock option or stock rights or other nonrecurring, extraordinary items included in total payroll in the previous year, shall be allo wed an exemption, beginning with calendar year 2016, for the number of years including the calendar year for which the exemption was denied, remaining in the entity’s five-year exemption period, provided such entity attains or increases payroll at or above the initial or base payroll established for the exemption; 8. A facility engaged in manufacturing defined under U.S. Industry Number 327310 of the NA ICS Manual shall have the payroll requirements of paragraph 4 of this subsection waived for tax year 2021, which is based in part on the 2020 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and may continue to receive the exe mption for the five-year period provided in this section only if all other requirements of this section are met; and 9. A facility engaged in manufacturing which otherwise qualifies for the exemption or exemptions pursuant to the provisions of this section shall have the payroll requirements of paragraph 4 of this subsection waived for tax year 2021, which i s based in part on the 2020 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma SB577 HFLR Page 18 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Employment Security Commission, and for tax year 2022, which is based in part on the 2021 calendar year payroll reported to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, and may continue to receive the exemption for the five -year period provided in this section only if all other requirements of this section are met. D. 1. Except as provided in paragraph 2 of this subsection, the five-year period of exemption from ad valorem taxes fo r any qualifying manufacturing facility property shall begin on January 1 following the initial qualifying use of the property in the manufacturing process. 2. The five-year period of exemption from ad valorem taxes for any qualifying manufacturing facility, as specified in subparagraphs a and b of this paragraph, which is located within a tax incentive district created pursuant to the Local Development Act by a county having a population of at least five hundred thousand (500,000), according to the most r ecent Federal Decennial Census, shall begin on January 1 following the expiration or termination of the ad valorem exemption, abatement, or other incen tive provided through the tax incentive district. Facilities qualifying pursuant to this subsection shall include: a. a manufacturing facility as defined in subparagraph c of paragraph 1 of subsection B of this section, and b. an establishment primarily e ngaged in distribution as defined under Industry Number 49311 of the North SB577 HFLR Page 19 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 American Industry Classificati on System for which the initial capital investment was at least One Hundred Eighty Million Dollars ($180,000,000.00); provided, that the qualifying job creation and depreciable property investment occurred prior to calendar year 2017 but not earlier than calendar year 2013. E. Any person, firm or corporation claiming the exemption herein provided for shall file each year for which exemption is claimed, an application therefor with the county assessor of the county in which the new, expanded or acquired fac ility is located. The application shall be on a form or forms prescribed by the Tax Commission, and shall be filed on or before March 15, except as provided in Section 2902.1 of this title, of each year in which the facility desires to take the exemption or within thirty (30) days from and after receipt by such person, firm or corporation of notice of valuation increase, whichever is later. In a case w here completion of the facility or facilities will occur after January 1 of a given year, a facility may apply to claim the ad valorem tax exemption for that year. If such facility is found to be qualified for exemption, the ad valorem tax exemption provi ded for herein shall be granted for that entire year and shall apply to the ad valorem valuation as of January 1 of that given year. For applicants who qualify under the provisions of subparagraph b of paragraph 1 of subsection B of this section, the appl ication shall SB577 HFLR Page 20 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 include a copy of the affidavit and any other information required to be filed with the Tax Commission. F. The application shall be examined by the county assessor and approved or rejected in the same manner as provided by law for approval or rejection of claims for homestead exemptions. The taxpayer shall have the same right of review by and appeal from the county board of equalization, in the same manner and subject to the same requirements as provided by law for review and appeals concerning homestead exemption claims. Approved applications shall be filed by the county assessor with the Tax Commission no later than June 15, except as provided in Section 2902.1 of this title, of the year in which the facility desires to take the exemption. Incomplete applications and applications filed after June 15 will be declared null and void by the Tax Commission. In the event that a taxpayer qualified to receive an exemption pursuant to the provisions of this section shall make payment of ad valorem taxes in excess of the amount due, the county treasurer shall have the authority to credit the taxpayer ’s real or personal property tax overpayment against current taxes due. The county treasurer may establish a schedule of up to five (5) years of credit to resolve the overpayment. G. Nothing herein shall in any manner affect, alter or impair any law relating to the assessment of property, and all property, real or personal, which may be entitled to exemption hereunder shall SB577 HFLR Page 21 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 be valued and assessed as is other like property and as provided by law. The valuation and assessment of property for which an exemption is granted hereunder shall be performed by the Tax Commission using one or more of the cost, income and expense and sales comparison approaches to estimate fair cash value in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. H. For each year that a new, expanded , or acquired manufacturing facility receives an exemption pursuant to Section 6B of Article X of the Oklahoma Const itution, the entity shall provide to the Tax Commission a report detailing the number of new jobs created and the payroll data for new jobs created since the exemption was provided. The Tax Commission shall provide the data collected pursuant to this subs ection to the Incentive Evaluation Commission for only evaluation purposes by the Commission or a designee. I. The Tax Commission shall have the authority and duty to prescribe forms and to promulgate rules as may be necessary to carry out and administer the terms and provisions of this section. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 68 O.S. 2021, S ection 205, as last amended by Section 1, Chapter 208, O.S.L. 2024 (68 O.S. Supp. 2024, Section 205), is amended to read as follows: Section 205. A. The records and files of the Oklahoma Tax Commission concerning the administration of the Uniform Tax SB577 HFLR Page 22 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Procedure Code or of any state tax law shall be considered confidential and privileged, except as otherwise provided for by law, and neither the Tax Commi ssion nor any employee engaged in the administration of the Tax Commission or charged with the custody of any such records or files nor any person who may have secured information from the Tax Commission shall disclose any information obtained from the rec ords or files or from any examination or inspection of the premises or property of any person. B. Except as provided in paragraph 26 of subsection C of this section, neither the Tax Commission nor any employee engaged in the administration of the Tax Comm ission or charged with the custody of any such records or files shall be required by any court of this state to produce any of the records or files for the inspection of any person or for use in any action or proceeding, except when the records or files or the facts shown thereby are directly involved in an action or proceeding pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Tax Procedure Code or of the state tax law, or when the determination of the action or proceeding will affect the validity or the amount of the claim of the state pursuant to any state tax law, or when the information contained in the records or files constitutes evidence of violation of the provisions of the Uniform Tax Procedure Code or of any state tax law. C. The provisions of this sectio n shall not prevent the Tax Commission, or with respect to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce SB577 HFLR Page 23 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 in administration of the Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act as provided by paragraph 22 of this subsection, from disclosing the following information and no liability whats oever, civil or criminal, shall attach to any member of the Tax Commission, or the Oklahoma Department of Commerce as applicable, or any employee thereof for any error or omission in the disclosure of such information: 1. The delivery to a taxpayer or a d uly authorized representative of the taxpayer of a copy of any report or any other paper filed by the taxpayer pursuant to the provisions of the Uniform Tax Procedure Code or of any state tax law; 2. The exchange of information that is not protected by th e federal Privacy Protection Act, 42 U.S.C., Section 2000aa et seq., pursuant to reciprocal agreements en tered into by the Tax Commission and other state agencies or agencies of the federal government; 3. The publication of statistics so classified as to prevent the identification of a particular report and the items thereof; 4. The examination of records and files by the State Auditor and Inspector or the duly authorized agents of the State Auditor and Inspector; 5. The disclosing of information or evid ence to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Attorney General, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, any district attorney or agent of any federal law enforcement agency when the information or evidence is to be used by suc h officials to SB577 HFLR Page 24 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 investigate or prosecute violations of the criminal provisions of the Uniform Tax Procedure Code or of any state tax law or of any federal crime committed against this state. Any information disclosed to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investi gation, Attorney General, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, any district at torney or agent of any federal law enforcement agency shall be kept confidential by such person and not be disclosed except when presented to a court i n a prosecution for violation of the tax laws of this state or except as specifically authorized by law, and a violation by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, Attorney General, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, distri ct attorney or agent of any federal law enforcement agency by otherwise releasing the information shall be a felony; 6. The use by any division of the Tax Commission of any information or evidence in the possession of or contained in any report or return filed with any other division of the Tax Commission; 7. The furnishing, at the discretion of the Tax Commission, of any information disclosed by its records or files to any official person or body of this state, any other state, the United States or foreign country who is concerned with the administration or assessment of any similar tax in this state, any o ther state or the United States. The provisions of this paragraph shall include the SB577 HFLR Page 25 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 furnishing of information by the Tax Commission to a county assess or to determine the amount of gross household income pursuant to the provisions of Section 8C of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution or Section 2890 of this title. The Tax Commission shall promulgate rules to give guidance to the county assessors regar ding the type of information which may be used by the county assessors in determining the amount of gross household income pursuant to Section 8C of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution or Section 2890 of this title. The provisions of this paragraph sha ll also include the furnishing of information to the State Treasurer for the purpose of administration of the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act; 8. The furnishing of information to other state agencies for the limited purpose of aiding in the collection of d ebts owed by individuals to such requesting agencies; 9. The furnishing of information requested by any member of the general public and stated in the sworn lists or schedules of taxable property of public service corporations organized, existing, or doing business in this state which are submitted to and certified by the State Board of Equalization pursuant to the provisions of Section 2858 of this title and Section 21 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution, provided such information would be a public record if filed pursuant to Sections 2838 and 2839 of this title on behalf of a corporation other than a public service corporation; SB577 HFLR Page 26 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 10. The furnishing of information requested by any member of the general public and stated in the findings of the Tax Comm ission as to the adjustment and equalization of the valuation of real and personal property of the counties of the state, which are submitted to and certified by the State Board of Equalization pursuant to the provisions of Section 2865 of this title and S ection 21 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution; 11. The furnishing of information as to the issuanc e or revocation of any tax permit, license or exemption by the Tax Commission as provided for by law. Such information shall be limited to the name of the person issued the permit, license or exemption, the name of the business entity authorized to engage in business pursuant to the permit, license or exemption, the address of the business entity and the grounds for revocation; 12. The posting of notic e of revocation of any tax permit or license upon the premises of the place of business of any business entity which has had any tax permit or license revoked by the Tax Commission as provided for by law. Such notice shall be limited to the name of the person issued the permit or license, the name of the business entity authorized to engage in business pursuant to the permit or license, the address of the business entity and the grounds for revocation; 13. The furnishing of information upon written reques t by any member of the general public as to the outstanding and unpaid amount SB577 HFLR Page 27 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 due and owing by any taxpay er of this state for any delinquent tax, together with penalty and interest, for which a tax warrant or a certificate of indebtedness has been filed pu rsuant to law; 14. After the filing of a tax warrant pursuant to law, the furnishing of information upon written request by any member of the general public as to any agreement entered into by the Tax Commission concerning a compromise of tax liability fo r an amount less than the amount of tax liability stated on such warrant; 15. The disclosure of informat ion necessary to complete the performance of any contract authorized by this title to any person with whom the Tax Commission has contracted; 16. The disclosure of information to any person for a purpose as authorized by the taxpayer pursuant to a waiver of confidentiality. The waiver shall be in writing and shall be made upon such form as the Tax Commission may prescribe; 17. The disclosure of inform ation required in order to comply with the provisions of Section 2369 of this title; 18. The disclosure to an employer, as defined in Sections 2385.1 and 2385.3 of this title, of information required in order to collect the tax imposed by Section 2385.2 o f this title; 19. The disclosure to a plaintiff of a corporation ’s last-known address shown on the records of the Franchise Tax Division of the Tax Commission in order for such plaintiff to comply with the requirements of Section 2004 of Title 12 of the O klahoma Statutes; SB577 HFLR Page 28 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20. The disclosure of information directly involved in the resolution of the protest b y a taxpayer to an assessment of tax or additional tax or the resolution of a claim for refund filed by a taxpayer, including the disclosure of the pen dency of an administrative proceeding involving such protest or claim, to a person called by the Tax Commission as an expert witness or as a witness whose area of knowledge or expertise specifically addresses the issue addressed in the protest or claim for refund. Such disclosure to a witness shall be limited to information pertaining to the specific knowled ge of that witness as to the transaction or relationship between taxpayer and witness; 21. The disclosure of information necessary to implement an agreement authorized by Section 2702 of this title when such information is directly involved in the resolution of issues arising out of the enforcement of a municipal sales tax ordinance. Such disclosure shall be to the governing body or to the municipal attorney, if so designated by the governing body; 22. The furnishing of information regarding incentive pa yments made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3601 through 3609 of this title, incentive payments made pursuant to the provisions of Sections 3501 through 3508 of this title, or tax credits claimed pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1 through 8 of this act Sections 3930 through 3937 of this title ; SB577 HFLR Page 29 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 23. The furnishing to a prospective purchaser of any business, or his or her authorized representa tive, of information relating to any liabilities, delinquencies, assessments or warrants of the prospective seller of the business which have not been filed of record, established or become final and which relate solely to the seller’s business. Any discl osure under this paragraph shall only be allowed upon the presentment by the prospective buyer, or the buyer’s authorized representative, of the purchase contract and a written authorization between the parties; 24. The furnishing of information as to the amount of state revenue affected by the issuance or granting of any tax permit, license, exemption, dedu ction, credit or other tax preference by the Tax Commission as provided for by law. Such information shall be limited to the type of permit, license, exemption, deduction, credit or other tax preference issued or granted, the date and duration of such permit, license, exemption, deduction, credit or other tax preference and the amount of such revenue. The provisions of this paragraph shall not authoriz e the disclosure of the name of the person issued such permit, license, exemption, deduction, credit or other tax preference, or the name of the business entity authorized to engage in business pursuant to the permit, license, exemption, deduction, credit or other tax preference; 25. The examination of records and files of a person or entity by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs SB577 HFLR Page 30 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Control, district attorney or the Attorney General pursuant to a court order by a magistrate in whose ter ritorial jurisdiction the person or entity resides, or where the Tax Commission records and files are physically located. Such an order may only be issued upon a sworn application by an agent of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs C ontrol or the Attorney General, certifying that the person or entity whose records and files are to be examined is the target of an ongoing investigation of a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act and that information resultin g from such an examination would likely be relevant to that investigation. Any records or information ob tained pursuant to such an order may only be used by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, district attorney or the Attorney General in the investigation and prosecution of a felony violation of the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act or money laundering pursuant to Section 2001 of Title 21 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Any such order issued pursuant to this paragraph, along with the underlying application, shall be sealed and not disclosed to the person or entity whose re cords were examined, for a period of ninety (90) days. The issuing magistrate may grant extensions of such period upon a showing of good cause in furtherance of the investigation. Upon the expiration of ninety (90) days and any extensions granted by the magistrate, a copy of the application and order shall be served upon the person or entity SB577 HFLR Page 31 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 whose records were examined, along with a copy of the records or information actually provided by the Tax Commission; 26. The disclosure of information, as prescribe d by this paragraph, which is related to the proposed or actual usage of tax credits pursuant to Section 2357.7 of this title, the Small Business Capital Formation Incentive Act or the Rural Venture Capital Formation Incentive Act. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the terms used in this paragraph shall have the same meaning as defined by Section 2357.7, 2357.61 or 2357.72 of this title. The disclosure of information authorized by this paragraph shall include: a. the legal name of any qualifi ed venture capital company, qualified small business capital company or qualified rural small business capital company, b. the identity or legal name o f any person or entity that is a shareholder or partner of a qualified venture capital company, qualified small business capital company or qualified rural small business capital company, c. the identity or legal name of any Oklahoma business venture, Oklahoma small business venture or Oklahoma rural small business venture in which a qualified investment has been made by a capital company, or SB577 HFLR Page 32 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 d. the amount of funds invested in a qualified venture capital company, the amount of qualified investments in a qualified small business capital company or qualified rural small business capital company and the amount of investments made by a qualified venture capital company, qualified small business capital company, or qualified rural small business capital company; 27. The disclosure of specific information as required by Section 46 of Title 62 of the Oklahoma Statute s; 28. The disclosure of specific information as required by Section 205.5 of this title; 29. The disclosure of specific information as required by Section 205.6 of this title; 30. The disclosure of information to the State Treasurer necessary to implement Section 2368.27 of this title; 31. The disclosure of specific information to the Oklahoma Health Care Authority for purposes of determining eligib ility for current or potential recipients of assistance from the Oklahoma Medicaid Program; 32. The disclosure of information to the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs including but not limited to the name and basis for eligibility of each individual who qualifies for the sales tax SB577 HFLR Page 33 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 exemption authorized in paragraph 34 of Section 1357 of this title; or 33. The disclosure of information to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority for the purposes of compliance with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Pa tient Protection Act or Section 420 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes ; or 34. The disclosure of information required in order to comply with the provisions of subsection H of Section 2902 of this title . D. The Tax Commission shall cause to be prepared and made available for public inspection in the office of the Tax Commission in such manner as it may determine an annual list containing the name and post office address of each person, whether individual, corporate or otherwise, making and filin g an income tax return with the Tax Commission. It is specifically provided that no liability whatsoever, civil or criminal, shall attach to any member of the Tax Commission or any employee thereof for any error or omission of any name or address in the preparation and publication of the list. E. The Tax Commission shall prepare or cause to be prepared a report on all provisions of state tax law that reduce state revenue through exclusions, deductions, credits, exemptions, deferrals or other preferential t ax treatments. The report shall be prepared not later than October 1 of each even -numbered year and shal l be submitted to the Governor, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate SB577 HFLR Page 34 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Tax Commission may prepare and submit supplements to the report at other times of the year if additional or updated information relevant to the report becomes available. The report shall include, for the previous fiscal year, the Tax Commission ’s best estimate of the amount of state revenue that would have been collected but for the existence of each such exclusion, deduction, credi t, exemption, deferral or other preferential tax treatment allowed by law. The Tax Commission may request the assistance of other state agencies as ma y be needed to prepare the report. The Tax Commission is authorized to require any recipient of a tax incentive or tax expenditure to report to the Tax Commission such information as requested so that the Tax Commission may fulfill its obligations as requ ired by this subsection. The Tax Commission may require this information to be submitted in an electroni c format. The Tax Commission may disallow any claim of a person for a tax incentive due to its failure to file a report as required under the authorit y of this subsection. F. It is further provided that the provisions of this section shall be strictly interpreted and shall not be construed as permitting the disclosure of any other information contained in the records and files of the Tax Commission rel ating to income tax or to any other taxes. G. Unless otherwise provided for in this section, any violati on of the provisions of this section shall constitute a misdemeanor and SB577 HFLR Page 35 BOLD FACE denotes Committee Amendments. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 shall be punishable by the imposition of a fine not exceeding One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not exceeding one (1) year, or by both such fine and imprisonment, and the offender shall be removed or dismissed from office. H. Offenses described in Section 2376 of this title shall be reported to the appropriate district attorney of this state by the Tax Commission as soon as the offenses a re discovered by the Tax Commission or its agents or employees. The Tax Commission shall make available to the appropriate district attorney or to the authorized agent of the district attorney its records and files pertinent to prosecutions, and such records and files shall be fully admissible as evidence for the purpose of such prosecutions. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective N ovember 1, 2025. COMMITTEE REPORT BY: COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS AND BUDGET , dated 04/17/2025 – DO PASS.