Oklahoma has enacted two new laws effective today to strengthen its workforce in critical fields such as civil engineering and social work. The measures, authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, aim to address shortages and improve retention of professionals in these areas.
House Bill 2260 offers tax incentives to students pursuing civil engineering degrees and to businesses that employ them. According to the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the law seeks to counter the decline in civil engineers remaining in the state after graduation, as only about 40 percent stay in Oklahoma five years later. The incentives are designed to encourage more graduates to contribute to the state’s infrastructure development.
House Bill 2261 allows Oklahoma to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, enabling licensed social workers from other states to practice in Oklahoma without obtaining an additional license. This initiative expands the state’s access to qualified social workers, addressing a current shortage where Oklahoma meets only 67 percent of its clinical social worker needs.
Both laws are intended to strengthen the state’s capacity to meet infrastructure and social service demands by attracting and retaining skilled professionals.
