OKLAHOMA CITY — A new state law will allow Oklahomans to renew their occupational licenses with the state despite their tax status. Existing state law requires licensing entities to deny renewal applications from individuals whose taxes are in arrears.
House Bill 1956 directs the Oklahoma Tax Commission to use wage garnishment to collect delinquent income taxes, instead of notifying a delinquent taxpayer that his/her state license will not be renewed until the taxpayer comes into compliance.
An exception will be granted for any state licensee who was not previously required to pay income tax or has moved to the state within the last year. The Oklahoma Bar Association will still be required to begin proceedings to suspend the license of a noncompliant attorney.
Authors of the bill were House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) and Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat (R-Oklahoma City).
HB 1956 co-author Rep. Melissa Provenzano (D-Tulsa) said the law will benefit working professionals in her district and throughout Oklahoma.
“To the nurse in my district who was denied renewal of her license because she wasn’t quite done paying off her back taxes, and who reached out for help: thank you for everything you do, and help is here,” Provenzano said.
“It’s important to keep skilled laborers in the workplace,” said Rep. Jared Deck (D-Norman), also a co-author of the legislation. “With the deficit of skilled workers in Oklahoma, removing barriers to work and paying off debt is a no-brainer.”
HB 1956 goes into effect Nov. 1.