Two bills aimed at making it easier for Oklahomans with occupational licenses to work passed in the House of Representatives last week.

House Bill 2477, by House Speaker Charles McCall, would amend current law to require the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) garnish wages of a non-compliant taxpayer rather than revoke or not renew the taxpayer’s occupational license. Under current law, when a taxpayer that holds a state issued occupational license is not in compliance with tax laws the OTC notifies both the taxpayer and the entity that issues the taxpayer’s license that the license will not be renewed until the taxpayer comes into compliance.

A companion bill by Speaker McCall, House Bill 2478, would exempt from the same law those who were not previously required to pay taxes. Under current law, to apply for an apprentice license, the applicant must have paid Oklahoma income tax for the previous three years.

McCall said the requirement to be in compliance with tax laws in order to obtain a license is unattainable for those who have never been required to pay taxes, such as young people or those who recently moved into the state.

“Our laws should not prevent a person from making a living, particularly if you expect them to be able to make tax payments when they are non-compliant,” said McCall, R-Atoka. “We already allow the Tax Commission to garnish wages, and that seems sufficient to collect unpaid taxes.

“If the taxpayer can’t work, then you have lost the ability to bring him into compliance altogether, either through voluntary payments or garnishment. Furthermore, we need to ensure that young people and new residents who have not yet been subject to our tax laws are not prevented from obtaining a license that will bring them a good wage and the ability to make a decent living.”

House Bill 2477 passed by a vote of 99-0, and House Bill 2478 passed by a vote of 99-0. Both measures now head to the Senate for consideration.