Rep. Erick Harris

Maddy summarySB 527 modifies the time limit for creditors to formally record their claim (called "perfecting a security interest") on certificates of title for vehicles or equipment in Oklahoma. It directly affects lenders, banks, and businesses that secure loans against titled property, such as cars, trucks, or machinery. The bill changes the existing deadline, extending the timeframe to allow more time for creditors to properly register their claims after a loan is issued. This adjustment prevents claims from becoming invalid due to timing issues, providing clarity for financial transactions involving titled assets.

Maddy summarySB 747 updates Oklahoma law governing sheriff's sales of property (including goods, chattels, and real estate) by requiring sheriff auctions to offer a physical, non-electronic bidding option alongside online sales. It prohibits sheriffs or auction platforms from charging buyers an extra "buyer's premium" fee and mandates clear notice requirements for both online and in-person auctions. The bill also establishes rules for collecting payments via electronic methods (like wire transfers) and remitting funds to the court clerk, while banning officials from purchasing property they auction. These changes directly affect bidders at sheriff's sales and sheriffs conducting property auctions statewide.

Maddy summarySB 527 shortens the deadline for lenders to secure their legal claim on vehicles and other titled property from 10 to 5 days after purchase. This affects banks, dealerships, and businesses that use security interests on assets like cars or equipment. The bill modifies the timeframe for "perfecting" these claims to provide faster legal protection for lenders. It became law on May 28, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 453 creates the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act, establishing a new court process for certain civil lawsuits in Oklahoma. It directly affects individuals and businesses involved in civil cases seeking faster resolution, such as contract disputes or property claims under specific dollar thresholds. The bill sets clear rules for when this expedited process applies, including strict timelines for filing, responses, and hearings to speed up case resolution. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HR 1029) formally recognizes May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2025, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" in Oklahoma. It honors law enforcement officers who have died or been injured in the line of duty, specifically acknowledging two Oklahoma officers - Corporal Robert William Sumner and Brian Keith Herbert - who died within the past year. The resolution serves as a ceremonial tribute, expressing the Oklahoma House of Representatives' support for law enforcement and condolences to families of fallen officers. It does not create new laws or allocate funding, but rather aligns with existing federal designations for these observances.

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes May 11-17, 2025, as "National Police Week" and May 15, 2025, as "Peace Officers Memorial Day" in Oklahoma. It also expresses condolences to the loved ones of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty.

Maddy summaryHB 2619 (the Foreign Litigation Funding Prevention Act) requires parties in Oklahoma civil lawsuits to disclose any commercial litigation funding agreements during discovery, including certification about whether foreign governments or entities (like foreign states or their agencies) provided funds. It directly affects businesses, individuals, and legal teams involved in civil cases using such funding. The law mandates this disclosure but prohibits using the funding details as evidence at trial, while exempting consumer litigation funding agreements. This creates a clear process for identifying foreign financial involvement in lawsuits without allowing that information to influence trial outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2619 amends Oklahoma's discovery laws, primarily affecting parties involved in commercial litigation that utilize third-party funding. The bill requires parties to produce any commercial litigation funding agreements upon request and to certify, via a sworn affidavit, if any funds originate from a foreign state or its agencies. While these agreements must be disclosed, the information contained within them is not admissible as evidence at trial. Consumer litigation funding agreements are specifically exempt from these new disclosure requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2647, the Shai Cooper Act, updates Oklahoma's adoption law to allow courts to waive home study requirements for certain family adoptions. It specifically applies to immediate relatives (brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, or uncles) seeking to adopt a child, provided the court finds the waiver is in the child's best interest and the petitioner has no felony or child-related abuse convictions. The bill requires courts to verify the petitioner has been married to the child's parent (if applicable) for at least one year or meets specific conditions for single relatives. This change streamlines adoptions within close family circles while maintaining safety checks, but does not affect foster or non-relative adoptions, which still require full home studies. The law took effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 831 increases the daily per diem payment for members of election boards attending certain meetings. It directly affects local election board members who serve on committees or attend required training sessions. The bill raises the standard daily rate for these specific meetings, effective May 12, 2025, when it became law without the Governor's signature. This change modifies the compensation structure for election board participation but does not alter voting procedures or election administration rules.