Greater Oklahoma City Chamber Unveils 2026 Business and Economic Development Legislative Agenda

The Greater Oklahoma City Chamber announced its 2026 Business and Economic Development Legislative Agenda, outlining policy priorities designed to strengthen Oklahoma’s competitiveness, promote economic growth and ensure a stable, pro-business environment that benefits communities across the state. 

The agenda reflects the Chamber’s commitment to policies that encourage private-sector investment, modernize state systems, protect critical infrastructure and expand workforce and housing opportunities, while maintaining Oklahoma’s reputation as a place where businesses can start, grow and thrive. 

Modern, Efficient Government 

The Chamber supports empowering counties to modernize their form of government to meet local needs and opposes legislation that restricts flexibility in local election calendars. The Chamber also supports strategic and structural reforms at the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to strengthen the state’s ability to market itself, recruit new companies, and support existing employers. 

Pro-Growth Regulatory and Legal Environment 

To maintain Oklahoma’s economic competitiveness, the Chamber supports: 

• An energy environment that promotes investment and stability 

• Opposing state-level regulations on food manufacturers and retailers that exceed federal standards 

• Defending and improving workers’ compensation reforms enacted in 2013 

• Reasonable civil lawsuit reforms, including caps on non-economic damages, to reduce excessive liability costs 

Economic Development and Incentives 

The Chamber supports retaining and strengthening Oklahoma’s premier economic and community development programs that attract new businesses and help existing companies expand, including: 

• Quality Jobs Act and its related programs 

• Aerospace, cybersecurity and software engineer tax credits 

• Investment and New Jobs Tax Credit 

• Historic Building Rehabilitation Tax Credit 

• Manufacturing ad valorem abatements and sales tax exemptions 

• Tourism Development Act and Filmed in Oklahoma Act 

• Oklahoma Rural Jobs Act 

The Chamber also supports: 

• Identifying funding for infrastructure and site development 

• Creating regionally focused economic development finance tools 

• Incentives that support research, development, innovation and talent recruitment 

• Reinstating the Energy Efficient Homes Tax Credit and protecting the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit 

Tax Policy and Local Revenue 

The Chamber supports reforming Oklahoma’s tax code to better incentivize business investment and supports protecting state law governing Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts. The Chamber also supports a reasonable excise tax on marijuana sales dedicated to local governments for public safety, education and responsible regulation. 

Infrastructure, Technology and Innovation 

The agenda emphasizes the importance of: 

• Expanding broadband access and protecting Oklahoma’s pro-investment communications environment 

• Common-sense data privacy protections, with a preference for comprehensive federal standards 

• A balanced approach to artificial intelligence that safeguards rights while fostering innovation 

• Development of advanced air mobility and transportation technologies through public-private partnerships 

Protecting Critical Infrastructure 

The Chamber supports comprehensive federal, state and local policies to prevent and respond to unauthorized drone activity over critical infrastructure, including energy facilities, water systems, transportation hubs, healthcare institutions and communication networks. 

Public Safety, Workforce and Community Stability 

The Chamber supports: 

• Legislation addressing workplace violence, particularly in high-risk sectors 

• Criminal justice and sentencing reforms that reduce incarceration costs and strengthen workforce reentry 

• Full funding of the County Community Safety Investment Fund 

• Data-driven approaches to homelessness and policies that expand attainable and workforce housing 

• Investments in mental health infrastructure and treatment capacity 

Additional Policy Priorities 

The Chamber also supports: 

• Pension reforms that protect the state’s long-term fiscal health 

• A stable oil and gas tax structure 

• Protecting the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust 

• Additional oversight and reform within the marijuana industry 

• Allowing pharmacists to evaluate and initiate treatment for certain limited conditions 

Firearms and Property Rights 

While supporting the Second Amendment and responsible expansion of gun-owner rights, the Chamber will oppose legislation that would require weapons at large-scale athletic and high-economic impact events, allow guns on college campuses or restrict governments’ ability to contract based on firearms policies. The Chamber will continue leading efforts to protect property rights and public safety. 

The full legislative agenda can be found at okcchamber.com/legislative.