HB 1561 Summary

• Creates the "Quality Workforce Act" to provide tax rebates to for-profit establishments for employee workforce development and training costs, including tuition, fees, and materials for approved associate degrees or vocational certifications.

• Establishes eligibility requirements including that employees must be Oklahoma residents, U.S. citizens, full-time workers (30+ hours weekly), and that employers must provide a basic health benefit plan within 12 months of employment.

• Rebates equal 100% of approved training costs plus 5% supplemental amounts for veterans and employees enrolled in Oklahoma Medicaid at program enrollment, with annual payments capped at 5% of average employee wage multiplied by the number of eligible employees.

• Creates the Quality Workforce Rebate Payment Fund with a $5,000,000 annual fiscal year limit, funded by withholding 50% of taxes from personal income tax (Section 1354) and corporate income tax (Section 2355) collections.

• Establishes penalties for false or fraudulent claims (misdemeanor with fines of $1,000-$50,000 plus 10% annual interest on repayment), requires triennial reports to the Governor and Legislature, and sunsets the program effective July 1, 2020.