House Bill No. 2645 establishes a new income tax credit for qualifying doctors practicing medicine or osteopathic medicine in rural areas of Oklahoma, effective January 1, 2026. The bill defines a "qualifying doctor" as a licensed medical or osteopathic physician who has graduated from a state college or completed residency in Oklahoma, and whose primary residence is in the same county as the rural area where they earn their compensation. The credit amount is capped at $20,000 per tax year and cannot reduce a taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Additionally, qualifying doctors can claim this credit for up to four subsequent tax years, provided they continue to meet the criteria.

The bill also sets an annual cap of $1 million on the total amount of credits authorized, starting in tax year 2028. The Oklahoma Tax Commission is tasked with calculating and publishing a percentage to adjust the credits so that the total does not exceed this cap. The adjustment formula is based on the total credits claimed in the second preceding tax year. This legislation aims to incentivize medical professionals to practice in rural areas, addressing healthcare access issues in those communities.