Oklahoma / State / 60th Legislature, 2nd Regular Session, 2026
2026 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 171 (SB 1533) Made Oklahoma residence, instead of death in Oklahoma, the test for the indigent veteran and Dignity in Burial grants
Expands and restricts Makes Oklahoma residence the test for the burial grants, which reaches residents who die elsewhere but drops non-residents who die in Oklahoma.
Amended 72 O.S. §§ 34 and 36, replacing "The veteran shall have died in Oklahoma" with "The veteran shall have been a resident of this state" as an eligibility condition for both burial grants, which each pay up to $1,000 of unpaid interment or cremation costs. Signed May 1, 2026, effective November 1, 2026. The fund statute, 68 O.S. § 2368.28, still caps reimbursement at $500 per veteran and was not touched. Watching until the effective date.
Progress
Path to law: Bill in a two-chamber legislature
- Introduced Done,
- In committee Done, Senate Veterans and Military Affairs
- Passed one chamber Done, Senate, 43-0
- Passed both chambers Done, House, 89-0
- Signed by the governor Done,
- In effect Done,
Sponsors
- Stanley
- Smith
What it touches
- 72 O.S. § 34
- 72 O.S. § 36
Catalog entry
Official record
Read 2026 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 171 (SB 1533) on the jurisdiction's own record