Governor Stitt Celebrates the BUILD Act, a Win for Growing Oklahoma Communities
OKLAHOMA CITY (April 20, 2026) - Governor Kevin Stitt has signed the Building Utilities and Infrastructure for Long-term Development (BUILD) Act into law, taking an important step to help Oklahoma communities grow without raising taxes or increasing government debt.
“Something special is happening in Oklahoma,” said Governor Stitt. “More families and businesses are moving here than ever before, and they all tell me the same thing: this is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. But with that growth comes a new challenge. We need more homes and stronger infrastructure to keep up.”
Oklahoma remains Top 10 in the country for net migration, with more than 10,000 people relocating to our state in the past year. As more families choose to put down roots, developers in Oklahoma need tools to make sure there are enough homes, roads, and utilities to meet the demand.
The BUILD Act gives developers, cities, and counties a new way to plan for growth. It allows local governments to create special districts where private developers and investors pay the upfront costs for key infrastructure. That means roads, water and sewer lines, parks, and other amenities can be built by developers instead of being paid for by taxpayers. As a result, new neighborhoods and businesses can take shape faster, without adding new debt or raising taxes.
Under the new law, developers can finance the initial infrastructure costs through small fees paid by people who choose to live or invest in those districts. Taxpayers in the rest of the city or county will not have to foot the bill. Each district must have full approval from all property owners and from local officials before it can move forward, ensuring communities stay in control of local decisions.
“States like Texas, Florida, and Utah have used similar tools to support rapid, high-quality growth, and they’ve seen real results. The difference is that we’ve taken what works and built a better model for Oklahoma that protects taxpayers, strengthens local control, and helps us stay a top destination for families and businesses,” said the Governor. “Thank you to leaders in the House and Senate for sending this important legislation to my desk.”
Lawmakers who led the effort to pass the BUILD Act say the policy will help Oklahoma meet growing demand while protecting taxpayers.
“The BUILD Act is a forward-thinking approach to meeting Oklahoma’s growing infrastructure and housing needs without placing new burdens on taxpayers,” said Senator John Haste. "By empowering private investment to fund large-scale developments, we’re removing unnecessary barriers that have slowed progress for too long. This legislation ensures that property owners have a seat at the table, while also providing long-term certainty through stable zoning and land-use agreements. Just as importantly, these projects are financed through private mechanisms, not public debt, which will protect taxpayers while still delivering the roads, utilities and public facilities our communities need to thrive. I appreciate Governor Stitt’s support behind this bill.”
“Infrastructure is necessary for Oklahoma to continue to grow but is often cost prohibitive to development,” said Representative Mark Lawson. “The BUILD Act provides the needed flexibility for our local elected leaders to work with developers to defray that cost, without saddling the public with additional debt.”
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