Rep. John Kane

Maddy summarySB 2019 creates Oklahoma's Political Subdivision Liability Insurance Guaranty Program to protect local governments (like cities, counties, and school districts) from excessive liability judgments. It establishes a new fund administered by a seven-member board appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, with at least half of members representing local government. The program will cover costs for qualifying judgments, operational expenses, and training to prevent claims, with fund monies (including interest) reserved exclusively for these purposes. The fund is not subject to annual appropriation and will be audited like state funds. The program becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3947 is a procedural bill that establishes the name "Oklahoma Education Reform Act of 2026" for future education legislation and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It does not create new policies or change existing laws; it only provides a title and effective date for a future act. The bill specifies it will not be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes. This is a naming and procedural measure with no direct impact on students, schools, or education funding.

Maddy summaryHB 3945 is a procedural bill that names the "Oklahoma Public Health and Safety Act of 2026" and sets its effective date for November 1, 2026. It does not create new policies, programs, or funding mechanisms - its sole purpose is to establish this title for future legislation. The bill contains no substantive provisions or changes to public health or safety regulations. It is currently in early stages (first reading, referred to Rules committee) with no policy details provided in the text. This is a naming resolution, not a policy bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Oklahoma Education Reform Act of 2026 as a standalone legislative measure that will not be added to the state's official code. It sets the effective date for the act to begin on November 1, 2026, allowing time for implementation before the new provisions take effect. The legislation primarily serves as a formal naming and scheduling mechanism rather than introducing specific educational policy changes at this stage.

Maddy summaryHB 3943 amends Oklahoma law governing leases of public trust lands managed by the Commissioners of the Land Office. It sets a 55-year maximum for commercial leases (with public bidding required for leases over 3 years at fair market value), limits agricultural leases to 5 years with public bidding, and requires hunting leases to be offered at fair market value with prior notice to existing commercial/agricultural lessees. The bill also mandates that lessees pay property taxes on improvements, requires new lessees to reimburse previous lessees for permanent improvements, and allows the Land Office to reject bids from parties in default or without adequate creditworthiness. These changes directly affect landowners leasing public trust lands for commercial, agricultural, or hunting purposes. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3946 is a procedural bill that names the "Oklahoma Education Reform Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It contains no substantive policy provisions or changes to education law, as it specifies the act "shall not be codified" in the Oklahoma Statutes. The bill has only been introduced (first reading on February 2, 2026) and referred to the Rules committee. It does not directly affect any specific programs, schools, or individuals, as it serves only as a naming and effective date mechanism for a future act.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 modifies Oklahoma's public employees retirement system death benefits by increasing the payout to $5,000 for retirees who died on or after July 1, 1999 (up from $4,000). It establishes a new process allowing the system to pay up to $25,000 directly to heirs without probate court involvement, requiring documents like heirship affidavits, beneficiary releases, and proof debts are settled. The bill also adds a provision enabling beneficiaries to disclaim death benefits in writing, transferring funds directly to licensed funeral providers within nine months, without requiring probate. These changes apply to retirees and active members' beneficiaries, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the definition of "basic industry" for Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program, specifically addressing the relationship between employers and leased or contracted employees. It amends Section 3603 of the Oklahoma Statutes to clarify how certain leased or contracted workers are counted toward program eligibility. The change affects businesses seeking tax incentives under the program by establishing clearer criteria for including leased or contracted employees in job-count calculations. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 12, 2025. (Note: The provided bill text excerpt focuses on industry classifications but does not explicitly show the modified employee relationship definition; the summary reflects the bill's stated purpose based on its title and context.)

Maddy summarySB 301 modifies Oklahoma's tax credit system for donations to biomedical and cancer research institutes. It reduces annual credit limits to $1.5 million for biomedical research donations and $500,000 for cancer research donations starting in 2026, down from $2 million previously. Donors to qualifying institutes (which must receive $20 million annually in NIH funding for biomedical or $4 million for cancer research) will face new caps: $25,000 for business donors to biomedical institutes, and $1,000-$2,000 for individual filers depending on filing status. The bill adjusts how credit percentages are calculated using the second preceding year's claims and ensures credits cannot exceed tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 1458 modifies the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) rules for death benefits, affecting beneficiaries, heirs, and funeral service providers. It allows OPERS to pay death benefits, unpaid contributions, or other unpaid benefits up to $25,000 directly to a deceased member's heirs without requiring probate court intervention, provided specific documentation is submitted. Additionally, the bill permits a designated beneficiary to disclaim their death benefit. If disclaimed, those funds can be transferred to a licensed funeral director or funeral service business for the deceased member's services. These provisions aim to streamline the distribution of benefits and provide options for covering funeral expenses.