The Senate voted 32–15 to pass SB 1403, Sen. Dave Rader’s bill to update the Oklahoma Quality Jobs Program using recommendations from the Incentive Evaluation Commission.
The legislation follows the IEC’s 2025 evaluation report, which recommended several modifications to the Quality Jobs Program—including tying qualifying wages to county averages, shortening rebate‑claim windows, and regularly updating eligible industries—all of which are reflected in SB 1403’s language.
“Oklahoma has a great structure set up for the review of incentives,” said Amanda Hall, Policy & Research Director for The State Chamber and State Chamber Research Foundation.
“This past year Quality Jobs was up for review, which is one of Oklahoma’s enticing incentives for economic development. Senator Rader’s bill addresses the recommendations made by the Incentive Evaluation Commission, which is exactly how the process should work. The experts contracted through the IEC review the incentives, then the legislature take up those recommendations to ensure Oklahoma’s incentive investments are being allocated in a competitive and strategic manner.”
Rader said the changes strengthen rural applicability, tighten eligibility standards and improve budget certainty for companies using the incentive.
“I was surprised by the number of ‘nay’ votes, particularly because the bill significantly strengthens the incentive’s application in rural Oklahoma,” Rader said. “It also tightens the state’s eligibility requirements for possible recipients, which better protects the state’s investment.”
The bill shortens the window for employers to file payment claims, removes the statewide minimum wage threshold and instead ties qualifying wages to each county’s average wage. Rader said the shift accounts for wide county‑to‑county wage disparities.
“Senate Bill 1403 updates an effective state program that has helped attract new employers to this state and support local businesses that are looking to grow,” Rader said. “Oklahoma’s Quality Jobs incentives are one of the state’s most successful economic development tools, earning the state $2 for every $1 investment.”
The legislation comes as lawmakers advance additional measures — including SB 1990 and HB 3942 — that emphasize stronger statewide incentives and improved data‑driven evaluation of economic development programs.
