Rep. Kyle Hilbert

Maddy summaryHB 4426 creates a state income tax credit for businesses making qualified economic development expenditures in specific Oklahoma locations. It allows eligible businesses to claim up to 10% of qualifying construction, equipment, or infrastructure costs (capped at $6 million per project), or up to 50% for rail infrastructure (capped at $3 million). The credit can be assigned to project affiliates like vendors or investors and carried forward for up to five years, with an annual state cap of $12 million. The bill applies to projects in counties under 100,000 population, industrial parks, economic development zones, or near qualifying railroads, effective November 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4434 is a procedural bill that names the "State Government Act of 2026" and sets its effective date. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or entities, as it merely provides a title for the bill and specifies November 1, 2026, as the effective date. The bill is noncodified, meaning it will not be added to Oklahoma's official statutes. This is a routine naming and scheduling measure with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits mutual insurance companies in Oklahoma that were originally created by state statute and funded with legislative appropriations from changing their corporate structure to stock companies. The law mandates that any such company must first pay all policyholders the fair market value of their ownership interests before it can transition into a mutual holding company. Additionally, the legislation bars these specific insurers from pursuing any other structural changes while a court determines they are in the process of demutualization. The measure applies exclusively to entities like CompSource Mutual Insurance Company, which began with funds appropriated by the Legislature.

Maddy summarySB 1491 updates Oklahoma's process for filling vacancies among Presidential Electors. If an elector fails to attend the designated meeting or refuses to vote for their party's nominees, remaining electors must appoint a replacement. The new law requires this replacement to swear an oath promising to vote for the candidates nominated by their political party. This oath must be witnessed by the Governor or their designee and filed with the Secretary of State. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4422 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to verify applicants' immigration status using the federal SAVE system before approving benefits for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It establishes a five-year bar for qualified aliens who entered the U.S. on or after August 22, 1996, from receiving TANF or certain other benefits, unless exceptions apply. If SAVE verification shows unverified status, the department must notify the Oklahoma Attorney General, who may then alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The bill directly affects non-citizen legal residents applying for TANF or SNAP benefits, mandating status checks and specific notification procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 3705 increases Oklahoma's Parental Choice Tax Credit Program, allowing taxpayers to claim credits for education expenses of eligible students. The bill raises the maximum annual credit for private school tuition to $7,500 (or actual tuition, whichever is lower) for families earning under $75,000, with tiered reductions up to $5,000 for households earning over $250,000. It also creates special credit tiers for students experiencing homelessness ($7,500) and those at financially disadvantaged private schools (maximum credit based on average school costs). Qualified expenses include tuition, tutoring, textbooks, and standardized test fees, but exclude scholarship-funded amounts. This directly affects Oklahoma families choosing private education or approved alternative learning programs.

Maddy summaryHB 4429, the "Proxy Advisor Transparency Act," requires proxy advisors (firms that advise shareholders on voting) to disclose when they make voting recommendations against company management without conducting a written financial analysis. Specifically, if a recommendation isn't based on an analysis of financial benefits/costs to shareholders, the advisor must provide clear disclosures to shareholders and send copies to the company's board. The law also mandates that advisors publicly state on their website if any recommendations lack this financial analysis. This applies to all proxy advisory services in Oklahoma, including voting advice on proposals related to executive pay, governance, or company policies. The bill aims to increase transparency around voting recommendations, particularly those based on non-financial factors like ESG or DEI.

Maddy summaryHB 2288 modifies rules for retired Oklahoma teachers who return to public school employment. It establishes a 60-day cooling-off period after retirement before reemployment and sets annual earnings limits: retired teachers under 62 may earn up to half their final salary (or Social Security's limit, whichever is lower), while those 62+ may earn up to $30,000 or half their final salary. The bill also creates a three-year exception (ending July 2027) allowing certain retired teachers who haven't worked for a public school in the past year to return without earnings limits. It clarifies that part-time work for state government (like the Legislature) doesn't count as public school employment under these rules.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SJR 39 proposes a constitutional amendment to reduce limits on annual increases in property tax assessments. It would lower the maximum annual growth rate for most real property from 5% to 3% (for tax years 2027 onward) and further reduce limits for homestead properties (primary residences) and agricultural land from 3% to 1%. The amendment applies to locally assessed real property, excluding personal property and properties with recent transfers or improvements. If approved by voters, these changes would take effect for tax years beginning in 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 4421 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct a safety analysis within 24 hours when a child is suspected of being "drug-endangered" (e.g., due to fentanyl exposure or substance use by caregivers). It mandates drug screening - including mandatory fentanyl testing - for parents or caregivers when substance use is suspected, and allows DHS to seek court orders if consent is refused. The bill also creates a "Child Welfare Fentanyl Testing Revolving Fund" to cover testing costs and requires DHS to refer certain abuse/neglect cases to law enforcement. These provisions directly affect children in welfare cases, their caregivers, DHS staff, and local law enforcement agencies.