Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Oklahoma Legislature, fetched 2026-07-23. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. The official bill page.
1 STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026)
3 HOUSE BILL 3598 By: Lepak
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6 AS INTRODUCED
7 An Act relating to higher education; amending 70 O.S.
2021, Sections 3242 and 3242.2, which relate to
8 resident tuition; removing option to file application
or affidavit to receive resident tuition; prohibiting
9 illegal immigrants from receiving scholarships,
financial aid, or resident tuition; providing an
10 effective date; and declaring an emergency.
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13 BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
14 SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242, is
15 amended to read as follows:
16 Section 3242. A. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher
17 Education may adopt a policy which allows a student to enroll in an
18 institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and
19 allows a student to be eligible for resident tuition if the student:
20 1. Graduated from a public or private high school in this
21 state; and
22 2. Resided in this state with a parent or legal guardian while
23 attending classes at a public or private high school in this state
24 for at least two (2) years prior to graduation.
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1 B. To be eligible for the provisions of subsection A of this
2 section, an eligible student shall:
3 1. Satisfy admission standards as determined by the Oklahoma
4 State Regents for Higher Education for the appropriate type of
5 institution and have secured admission to, and enrolled in, an
6 institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher Education;
7 and
8 2. If the student cannot present Present to the institution
9 valid documentation of United States nationality or an immigration
10 status permitting study at a postsecondary institution:
11 a. provide to the institution a copy of a true and
12 correct application or petition filed with the United
13 States Citizenship and Immigration Services to
14 legalize the student's immigration status, or
15 b. file an affidavit with the institution stating that
16 the student will file an application to legalize his
17 or her immigration status at the earliest opportunity
18 the student is eligible to do so, but in no case later
19 than:
20 (1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
21 enrolls for study at the institution, or
22 (2) if there is no formal process to permit children
23 of parents without lawful immigration status to
24 apply for lawful status without risk of
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1 deportation, one (1) year after the date the
2 United States Citizenship and Immigration
3 Services provide such a formal process, and
4 c. if the student files an affidavit pursuant to
5 subparagraph b of this paragraph, present to the
6 institution a copy of a true and correct application
7 or petition filed with the United States Citizenship
8 and Immigration Services no later than:
9 (1) one (1) year after the date on which the student
10 enrolls for study at the institution, or
11 (2) if there is no formal process to permit children
12 of parents without lawful immigration status to
13 apply for lawful status without risk of
14 deportation, one (1) year after the date the
15 United States Citizenship and Immigration
16 Services provide such a formal process, which
17 copy shall be maintained in the institution's
18 records for that student.
19 C. Any student who completes the required criteria prescribed
20 in subsection A of this section, paragraph 1 of subsection B of this
21 section, and subparagraph a of paragraph 2 of subsection B of this
22 section shall not be disqualified on the basis of the student's
23 immigration status from any scholarships or financial aid provided
24 by this state.
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1 D. The provisions of this section shall not impose any
2 additional conditions to maintain resident tuition status at a
3 postsecondary educational institution within The Oklahoma State
4 System of Higher Education on a student who was enrolled in a degree
5 program and first received such resident tuition status at that
6 institution during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year of
7 status as an alien lawfully present in the United States.
8 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 70 O.S. 2021, Section 3242.2, is
9 amended to read as follows:
10 Section 3242.2. A. Except as otherwise provided in Section 3242
11 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, an An individual who is not
12 lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the
13 basis of residence within the state for:
14 1. Any postsecondary education benefit, including, but not
15 limited to, scholarships or financial aid; or
16 2. Resident tuition.
17 B. The provisions of subsection A of this section shall not
18 apply to a student enrolled in a degree program at a postsecondary
19 educational institution within The Oklahoma State System of Higher
20 Education during the 2006-2007 school year or any prior year who
21 received a resident tuition benefit pursuant to Section 3242 of
22 Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes at that institution.
23 SECTION 3. This act shall become effective July 1, 2026.
24
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1 SECTION 4. It being immediately necessary for the preservation
2 of the public peace, health or safety, an emergency is hereby
3 declared to exist, by reason whereof this act shall take effect and
4 be in full force from and after its passage and approval.
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60-2-14782 AQH 12/15/25
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Req. No. 14782 Page 5Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.