State Rep. Lonnie Sims, R-Jenks, said the House has passed HB1005, a bill he says aligns aquariums with the exemption already granted to zoos and museums.

“House Bill 1005 ensures a level playing field with other educational and cultural venues already exempted from state sales taxes on admission tickets,” Sims said. “Our state’s aquariums would have the same opportunity to reinvest those dollars in offering greater access to students for education, facility renovations and promoting out-of-state visitors.”

Sims said that 30,000 school children visit the Oklahoma Aquarium every year. Approximately 5,000 of those students receive free admission and remaining admissions for education are discounted by over 50 percent. The bill would allow this money to be used to extend greater access to education opportunities in STEM projects.

The bill passed the House with a vote of 86-7 and with its title struck.

“House Bill 1005 recognizes the educational value of our state’s aquariums and the significant investment they make in bringing the oceans and fresh water habitats of the world to more than 400,000 visitors annually,” Sims said.

 Sen. Joe Newhouse, R-Broken Arrow, is the bill’s Senate author.