OKLAHOMA CITY - Two new laws authored by Rep. Nicole Miller, R-Edmond, take effect Saturday, Nov. 1, positioning Oklahoma to better meet the need for skilled professionals who build and serve the state’s communities.

House Bill 2260 creates targeted tax incentives to help recruit and retain civil engineers in Oklahoma. The measure offers financial incentives for students pursuing civil engineering degrees and for businesses hiring in the field.

“Oklahoma’s civil engineers design, construct and maintain the critical infrastructure at the core of our communities,” Miller said. “With only about 40 percent of engineers graduating from Oklahoma universities remaining in the state after five years, this law invests in our workforce and encourages these talented professionals to stay and build the future of Oklahoma.”

Civil engineers design and maintain the infrastructure that supports daily life across the state, including roads, bridges and water systems. Oklahoma has faced a shortage in the field, delaying projects and limiting growth. The new law mirrors successful incentive models used for aerospace engineers to ensure long-term stability in the state’s engineering workforce.

House Bill 2261 allows Oklahoma to join the Social Work Licensure Compact, making it easier for out-of-state social workers to practice in Oklahoma without obtaining an additional license. The law helps address the state’s shortage of licensed clinical social workers, which currently meets only about 67% of the statewide need.

“When families are in crisis, they shouldn’t have to wait for help,” Miller said. “By opening our doors to qualified social workers from other states, we’re ensuring Oklahomans can access the care and support they need when it matters most.”

By joining the compact, Oklahoma gains access to a national pool of approximately 500,000 social workers across 22 participating states including Kansas, Missouri, Colorado and Louisiana. The compact ensures regulators can continue sharing investigative records and disciplinary information to uphold accountability.

Both laws take effect Saturday, Nov. 1.