Rep. Rick West

Maddy summaryHB 2966 amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to add certified recovery homes and certified recovery community organizations to the list of entities exempt from state sales tax. This change applies to purchases of tangible personal property or services made by these certified entities for their operations. The bill specifies that these organizations must be certified by the state to qualify for the exemption, aligning them with existing tax-exempt groups like schools and nonprofits. Vendors selling to these organizations will no longer collect sales tax on qualifying transactions. The exemption applies to all purchases made by these certified recovery entities, not just specific services.

Maddy summaryHJR 1039 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Oklahoma voters to approve any changes to state legislators' pay. It creates a Board on Legislative Compensation (appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker) to set and review legislative salaries every two years. Any recommended pay adjustment would then be submitted to a statewide vote at the next general election, requiring majority approval to take effect. This shifts authority over legislative pay decisions from the legislature to voters, with no changes to current compensation until voter approval is secured.

Maddy summarySB 1520 requires Oklahoma's Statewide Official Compensation Commission to set the Governor's salary as the highest among nine specific state officials (including Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and others) for any term starting after the Commission sets the salary. The Commission must set all these salaries annually but cannot set any official's pay above the Governor's, and all salary recommendations require legislative approval via joint resolution. This bill directly affects the compensation of those nine elected state officials by establishing a mandatory pay hierarchy and adding legislative oversight. The bill becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySJR 45 is a joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would require voter approval for any change to Oklahoma legislators' compensation. The amendment would establish a Board on Legislative Compensation to set pay, but any adjustment would need to be approved by a majority vote of the people in a statewide election. Changes would only take effect after voter approval, with the amendment requiring a public vote at the next general election. This bill does not alter current compensation but sets a new rule for future adjustments, requiring direct voter input for any pay changes. If passed by the legislature, it would be submitted to voters for their decision.

Maddy summarySB 777 modifies Oklahoma's regulations for harvesting fish and aquatic species by giving the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAFF) discretion to create rules governing these activities. It allows certain harvesting but requires it to follow Department-set restrictions, replacing mandatory language ("shall") with discretionary terms ("may"). The bill removes a prior requirement for the state to assess fees and transfers this authority to ODAFF. This change directly affects commercial and recreational fishers by shifting regulatory oversight to the Department, which will determine specific harvesting rules. The bill became law on May 12, 2025, without a gubernatorial signature.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 777 concerns wildlife regulations, specifically by allowing certain harvesting of fish and aquatic species. The provided text details proposed amendments to this bill. These amendments would make the sale of harvested species subject to restrictions set by the relevant Department. They also propose changing certain mandatory actions for the Department, including the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry, to discretionary ones, such as establishing rules or assessing fees, and grant the Department authority to promulgate rules for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1187 allows Oklahoma state employees to opt out of the state's basic health and dental insurance plans if they have separate group coverage, while retaining life and disability benefits. To opt out, employees must provide proof of their separate coverage and sign an annual affidavit, and they receive $150 instead of the flexible benefit amount they would otherwise receive. The state retains any savings from employees opting out of health coverage. This bill directly affects eligible state employees who qualify for separate group insurance and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1187 amends the Oklahoma Employees Insurance and Benefits Act, affecting active state employees eligible for state insurance plans. It allows these employees to opt out of the state's basic health and dental plan, or the entire basic plan, if they are covered by a separate group health insurance plan. Employees opting out must provide annual proof of alternative coverage and an affidavit, and they will receive $150 in lieu of their flexible benefit amount. Any savings realized by the state from employees opting out of health insurance coverage will be retained by the state. This act will become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 1010 is a symbolic concurrent resolution commemorating the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City. It honors the 168 victims and expresses gratitude to first responders, medical personnel, and volunteers who aided in rescue and recovery efforts. The resolution directs that a copy be sent to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum's Executive Director. As a commemorative measure, it does not create new laws or policies but serves to formally recognize the tragedy and those affected.

Maddy summaryHCR 1010 is a concurrent resolution that remembers the 168 individuals killed and many others wounded in the 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing. It expresses the Oklahoma Legislature's heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of first responders, rescue workers, medical personnel, and volunteers who assisted in the aftermath, and directs a copy to be sent to the Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum.