House Bill No. 1491, introduced by Representative Johns, amends Section 3-104 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, specifically addressing the powers and duties of the State Board of Education. The bill restricts the Board's ability to revoke or suspend licenses or certificates, allowing such actions only for willful violations of state or federal law, child abuse or neglect, moral turpitude, and certain criminal convictions. It also requires the Board to provide notice prior to any revocation or suspension, except in emergency situations that necessitate immediate action. Additionally, the bill mandates that all funds collected for certificate issuance be deposited into the "Teachers' Certification Fund," with any unobligated balance over $10,000 at the end of the fiscal year transferred to the General Revenue Fund.

Moreover, the bill introduces a framework for calculating and distributing "redbud school grants" to school districts and eligible charter schools in Oklahoma. It details the process for determining nonchargeable millage per student and includes provisions for funding these grants from existing appropriations for fiscal year 2022, with future funding capped at three-fourths of the previous year's tax collections. The bill defines "eligible charter schools," excluding statewide virtual charter schools, and requires the Department to maintain transparency regarding grant recipients and allocations. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, but includes an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.