Rep. Jim Olsen

Maddy summarySB 380 requires the Oklahoma State Capitol to prominently display a monument of the Ten Commandments, mandating that the Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, and House Speaker determine its design, placement, security, and funding within one year. The bill specifies that only donated funds may be used for the monument's construction and prohibits relocation without approval from three-fourths of both legislative chambers and the Governor. It creates a felony offense for knowingly damaging or destroying the monument and authorizes the Oklahoma Attorney General to defend the display legally if challenged in court. The bill takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SB 854 requires public school principals and teachers to display the U.S. mottos "E PLURIBUS UNUM" (Out of Many, One) and "IN GOD WE TRUST" in all classrooms, auditoriums, and cafeterias. The bill also mandates that school districts allow the use of grade-appropriate historical documents - such as the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Pledge of Allegiance - for educational purposes in history or heritage lessons. It explicitly states that these materials must be used for instruction only and cannot be used to promote religion. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, and was declared an emergency by the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 854 requires all Oklahoma public schools to display the U.S. mottoes "E PLURIBUS UNUM" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" in every classroom, auditorium, and cafeteria under teacher or principal supervision. It also expands permitted educational materials to include key historical documents like the Declaration of Independence, Pledge of Allegiance, and state/federal constitutions, while prohibiting school districts from restricting history lessons due to religious references in these materials. The law, effective July 1, 2025, declares an emergency to expedite implementation. It directly affects all Oklahoma public school staff and students by mandating specific displays and broadening allowable historical content for classroom use. The bill focuses solely on display requirements and permitted educational materials, with no funding or program changes.

Maddy summarySB 615 sets a salary cap for most Oklahoma state employees, limiting annual pay to no more than the Governor's salary (as defined in state law) starting July 1, 2025. It directly affects most state workers, excluding two key groups: higher education staff (including university officials under the State Regents) and licensed healthcare professionals (like doctors and nurses) working for state agencies. The bill requires state departments to seek legislative approval via joint resolution for any compensation exceeding the Governor's salary, though exemptions for the listed groups remain automatic. This creates a clear, enforceable limit on executive branch pay without altering existing salary structures for exempted roles.

Maddy summarySB 615 would limit most state employees' annual pay to no more than the Governor's salary, effective July 1, 2025. It exempts university regents, higher education staff, and licensed health professionals (like doctors) working under state agencies. For other employees needing higher pay, the bill requires department heads to submit compensation requests to the Legislature for approval via a joint resolution. This law directly affects most state workers while creating specific exceptions for education and healthcare roles.

Maddy summaryHB 1359 creates a state income tax credit for legally married couples in Oklahoma with eligible dependent children. The credit amount depends on how long the couple has been continuously married: $500 for 1-5 years, $1,000 for 5-10 years, $1,500 for 11-15 years, and $2,000 for 16+ years of marriage, per child. The credit is capped at $10,000 per household annually, requires pre-application with the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and cannot reduce tax liability below zero. It directly affects married couples with children under 19 who reside with them and meet the marriage duration requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 1359 would create an Oklahoma income tax credit for married couples with dependent children, directly affecting legally married couples filing jointly who have children under 19 living with them. The credit amount varies by years of marriage: $500 for 1-5 years, $1,000 for 5-10 years, $1,500 for 11-15 years, and $2,000 for 16+ years, per child. It includes limits: a $10,000 annual cap per filer, a $25 million total annual cap for all credits, and requires pre-approval with documentation verifying marriage duration and child residency. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026, if passed, but remains pending in committee as of February 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 clarifies that public colleges, universities, and technology centers in Oklahoma cannot prohibit concealed handgun carry by licensed individuals on their property. It removes requirements for schools to notify police about concealed weapons, eliminates administrative fines for students or staff carrying concealed handguns, and allows institutions to seek damages if harmed by the policy. The bill specifically affects public post-secondary institutions and their students/staff with valid concealed carry permits, while maintaining existing restrictions on open carry and other prohibited locations. This amendment changes how schools manage firearm policies but does not alter rules for private schools or other public spaces.

Maddy summaryHB 1358 removes the prohibition against carrying concealed handguns on public college, university, and technology center campus property for individuals with a valid Oklahoma Self-Defense Act license. The bill amends Oklahoma Statute § 1277 to clarify that public educational institutions may no longer ban licensed firearm carriers from campus property, while maintaining existing restrictions in buildings, event venues, and other specific locations. It also eliminates administrative fines for violations related to campus carry and allows institutions to seek damages if harmed by firearm-related incidents. This bill directly affects public postsecondary institutions and licensed firearm carriers, changing the legal landscape for concealed carry on these campuses.

Maddy summaryHB 1149 is a procedural bill that names the "Oklahoma Agriculture Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. It contains no substantive policy changes or mechanisms affecting agriculture, as it establishes a new uncodified section of law not to be added to Oklahoma's official statutes. The bill serves solely as a naming and timing measure with no direct impact on farmers, businesses, or regulations.