Rep. Jim Shaw

Maddy summaryHB 1962 requires all Oklahoma employers registered to do business in the state to verify the work eligibility of new hires using a federal immigration verification system (such as E-Verify) starting November 1, 2025. It directly affects every business hiring new employees in Oklahoma, including small businesses and large employers. Employers must use a system meeting federal standards, and violations incur three warnings before fines of $100-$500 per offense. The law codifies this requirement in Oklahoma Statutes and aligns with federal programs like E-Verify.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific section of State Highway 102 in Lincoln County (from East 990 Road north to East Memorial Road) as the "SFC Tomas L. Avey Bronze Star and Purple Heart Recipient Memorial Highway." The Oklahoma Department of Transportation must install permanent markers bearing this official name along the designated highway segment. The memorial highway designation becomes effective November 1, 2025. This is a ceremonial designation honoring a veteran, with no substantive policy changes beyond the highway naming.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates a specific segment of State Highway 102 in Lincoln County (between East 990 Road and East Memorial Road) as the "SFC Tomas L. Avey Bronze Star and Purple Heart Recipient Memorial Highway." It requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers with this name along the designated highway. The bill is purely ceremonial, honoring SFC Tomas L. Avey's military service and decorations, with no substantive policy changes or funding provisions. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 596 requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to make public reports about property seizures (asset forfeiture) on a designated website. It directly affects police departments and sheriff's offices, mandating they submit detailed annual reports on seized items and their disposition. The bill updates existing laws to ensure these reports include specific details about seizures and is designed to increase transparency around how police handle seized property. Public access to these reports aims to allow citizens to review how law enforcement uses asset forfeiture powers.

Maddy summarySB 596 requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to submit annual reports detailing property seizures under asset forfeiture and publish these reports on a public website. The bill directly affects law enforcement agencies, which must now make this data accessible to the public, and the general public, which gains transparency into how property is seized. Key provisions include mandating agencies to report seizure details (like reason, property type, and outcome) and allowing limited redactions only for specific sensitive information (e.g., minors' identities, medical details, or ongoing investigations). The bill updates existing statutes to ensure these reports are available for public inspection without excessive delays. This change aims to increase accountability in asset forfeiture practices through standardized, accessible reporting.

Maddy summarySB 239 modifies Oklahoma's tax credit for electricity generated by zero-emission facilities (like wind, solar, hydro, or geothermal power plants). It limits the credit to tax years ending by 2025, ending the ability to carry forward unused credits beyond that year. For credits claimed after July 2019, taxpayers must choose between receiving an 85% direct refund or carrying the credit forward for up to 10 years (ending in 2025). This bill directly affects businesses and entities generating eligible renewable electricity in Oklahoma, altering how they can use or access these tax credits.

Maddy summarySB 239 amends Oklahoma's tax code to limit income tax credits for electricity generated by zero-emission facilities (like wind, solar, and geothermal plants). It restricts the credit to tax years ending by 2025 and replaces the previous option to carry forward unused credits with a new 85% refund option for credits generated after 2013. This directly affects electricity producers who previously could carry forward unused credits for up to 10 years; now, they may elect to receive 85% of unused credits as a direct refund instead. The bill also clarifies that certain entities, such as pass-through businesses, can claim the refund or allocate credits to owners.

Maddy summarySB 768 authorizes licensed firefighters and emergency medical personnel (EMTs) to carry firearms while performing their official duties in Oklahoma. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these first responders under the exception for "person authorized by law to carry a weapon," requiring them to hold a valid handgun license under the Oklahoma Self-Defense Act and follow their agency's rules. It also allows local governments to create agreements with tribal nations for first responders to carry firearms on tribal trust land. This change updates Oklahoma's firearms statute to expand the current exception for peace officers to cover licensed first responders during work.

Maddy summarySB 768 authorizes licensed firefighters and emergency medical personnel (EMTs) to carry firearms while performing official duties in Oklahoma. This bill amends Oklahoma law to explicitly include these first responders under existing exceptions for "peace officers," removing current restrictions that prevented them from carrying during work. It specifies that tribal trust land requires separate intergovernmental agreements between local governments and tribes. The law applies only to paid, licensed first responders - excluding volunteers - and updates statutory references to clarify the provision.

Maddy summarySB 268 prohibits the land application, spreading, sale, or distribution of biosolids (treated wastewater sludge) and related products (like compost containing sludge) on farmland in Oklahoma if they contain PFAS chemicals. It exempts agricultural products derived from food processing (e.g., apple or blueberry waste) and manure-based materials, provided they weren’t mixed with sludge. The bill requires the Environmental Quality Department to report on septage management by February 2026 and the Agriculture Department to develop PFAS remediation plans for affected farmers, with a cost report due to the Legislature. This directly impacts wastewater treatment facilities, agricultural producers using soil amendments, and businesses selling compost or fertilizer products.