Rep. Ronny Johns

Maddy summarySB 837 updates Oklahoma's rules for special license plates, affecting anyone applying for or displaying these plates. It requires Service Oklahoma to receive 100 prepaid applications within 180 days before issuing new plate types (like Firefighter or Wildlife Conservation plates), and mandates annual renewal with specific fee handling procedures. Funds collected from these plates will continue to support designated causes, such as the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum, Wildlife Diversity Fund, and Child Abuse Prevention Fund. The bill also repeals outdated provisions and clarifies plate transfer rules, ensuring plates remain tied to the vehicle registration.

Maddy summaryHB 1487 creates new special license plate designs for specific organizations and causes in Oklahoma, including plates for the NAACP, National Rifle Association, Masonic Fraternity, Shriners Hospitals for Children, and others. It requires organizations to secure 100 pre-paid applications within 180 days before plates can be issued, with unused payments refunded if the threshold isn’t met. The bill also updates renewal procedures, allowing annual renewals and requiring Service Oklahoma to develop a system for licensed operators to process applications and collect fees. This procedural bill directly affects Oklahomans who wish to display these special plates by defining eligibility and application requirements.

Maddy summarySB 711 modifies how Oklahoma schools calculate graduation rates and annual performance reports. It changes the definition of students counted in the "four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate" by excluding students who transfer out after October 1, emigrate, or die, and clarifies that students must enroll in a diploma-awarding program to count as graduates. The bill also updates how schools report results for the Oklahoma School Testing Program, ensuring reports align with federal accountability standards under the Every Student Succeeds Act. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma public schools and their annual performance ratings.

Maddy summarySB 711 modifies how Oklahoma schools calculate high school graduation rates for accountability reporting. It clarifies that students who transfer out, emigrate, or die are excluded from the adjusted cohort, and students transferring after October 1 are not counted in the graduation rate. The bill also updates procedures for confirming student transfers and ensures schools report results separately for online programs. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma public schools required to report graduation rates and annual test results under state and federal accountability systems. The law became effective May 29, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 837 modifies rules for Oklahoma's special license plates, including University Supporter, Firefighter, Environmental Awareness, and Wildlife Conservation plates. It requires 100 prepaid applications before new plate designs can be issued (within 180 days of authorization), updates renewal procedures for existing plates, and directs specific fees to designated funds like the Oklahoma State Firefighters Museum Fund. Existing plate holders can renew until their registration expires, while new applications must meet the 100-application threshold to avoid cancellation. The bill affects anyone seeking or renewing these specialty plates, with fees collected through licensed operators.

Maddy summaryHB 1487 creates new special license plate designs in Oklahoma for specific organizations and causes, including the Tulsa Air and Space, Church Studio, and Star Ellison Foundation plates. It requires 100 prepaid applications within 180 days for any new plate type before issuance can begin, and mandates that plates be designed with input from the sponsoring organization (e.g., including the Masonic emblem). The bill directly affects Oklahoma residents who wish to display these plates to show support for organizations like the NAACP, NRA, Shriners Hospitals, or Masonic Fraternities. Existing plate rules for renewal, fees, and eligibility (e.g., membership proof for group-specific plates) remain unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 1412 changes how Oklahoma school districts compensate teachers with advanced, lead, or master certificates. Instead of providing salary increases, districts must pay stipends using lottery funds (as specified in Section 713 of Title 3A) for these certified educators. The law, signed by the governor on May 23, 2025, directly affects teachers holding these higher-level credentials. It modifies Oklahoma Statutes § 6-190 to require stipends from lottery revenue rather than general salary adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 1412 requires Oklahoma school districts to provide stipends (not salary increases) to teachers holding advanced, lead, or master teaching certifications, funded through state lottery dollars instead of district budgets. This directly affects certified teachers pursuing higher credential levels and school districts receiving state education funding. The bill amends Oklahoma law to redirect existing lottery-funded stipends for these certifications, ensuring they are paid from designated state funds rather than local district resources. It does not change certification requirements or criminal background checks for teacher certification. The law took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on May 23, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 61) is a ceremonial naming act that designates specific Oklahoma bridges and highways as memorials to honor individuals. It designates seven locations, including the "ABLE Agent Lori Thomas Memorial Bridge" on U.S. Highway 70 in Durant and the "Donald Ray Ward Memorial Bridge" on I-40 in Oklahoma County. The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers at these locations. It does not create new policies or affect residents' rights, as it is purely a symbolic naming procedure. The bill became law on May 21, 2025, with an effective date of November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 61 designates the bridge on U.S. Highway 70 crossing South 9th Avenue in Durant, Bryan County, as the "ABLE Agent Lori Thomas Memorial Bridge." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers bearing this name on the bridge. This is a commemorative resolution honoring ABLE Agent Lori Thomas, with no substantive policy changes or new obligations beyond the naming designation. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.