Rep. Chad Caldwell

Maddy summarySB 224 would have created a statewide data system to track Oklahoma students' educational and workforce pathways from K-12 through postsecondary education and into careers. The bill aimed to directly affect students, schools, and workforce programs by collecting and connecting student data across these systems. Key provisions would have established a unified platform to analyze trends like graduation rates, college enrollment, and job placement. This system was intended to help policymakers and educators improve education planning and workforce development programs.

Maddy summarySB 212 directs Oklahoma's Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to create a new program called "TeachForwardOK" focused on teacher preparation. This bill directly affects the Commission and future teachers in Oklahoma by requiring the development of this specific program. The key provision is the mandate for the Commission to establish TeachForwardOK, which aims to improve how teachers are trained and prepared for classrooms. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 674 creates the "Charter Schools Incentive and Closure Reimbursement Fund" to support charter schools with startup costs, building renovations, and closure expenses. It requires charter schools to pay $5 per student (based on average daily membership) into this fund, while modifying how state funding is calculated - allowing new schools a 1.333 multiplier for first-year enrollment to determine initial funding. The bill also clarifies that charter schools receive state aid based on their own enrollment (not their sponsor’s), prohibits sponsors from charging fees beyond a 3% administrative cap on state aid, and states charter schools are considered local education agencies for funding purposes. This affects all Oklahoma charter schools, virtual charter schools, and their sponsors, with the bill now law after governor approval on May 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 674 creates the "Charter Schools Incentive and Closure Reimbursement Fund" to provide financial support for charter schools. It requires charter schools to pay $5 per student (based on average daily membership) into this fund, which will cover startup costs, building renovations, and closure expenses. The bill also modifies how charter school funding is calculated, including a special first-year funding formula (using August enrollment multiplied by 1.333) and limits administrative fees charged by school sponsors to 3% of state aid. This directly affects all Oklahoma charter schools (including virtual) and their sponsors by changing funding mechanisms and creating new financial obligations. The bill was signed into law on May 23, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 893, the Military Installation and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2025, prohibits foreign governments and companies from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (designated as "foreign adversaries") from owning or acquiring agricultural land or property near military bases in Oklahoma. It requires owners of such property near military installations to sell or divest within a specified timeframe and mandates registration for foreign entities seeking to operate critical infrastructure. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" broadly to include energy, water, telecommunications, transportation systems, and cybersecurity assets, and prohibits foreign adversaries from entering agreements involving these systems. It also creates penalties for noncompliance and grants the Attorney General authority to enforce these provisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill removes a requirement that students with disabilities must have attended a public school the previous year to qualify for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship Program. It directly affects families seeking private school options for children with disabilities who previously needed public school enrollment history. The key change eliminates the "prior public school attendance" rule in Section 13-101.2, while maintaining other eligibility criteria like having an IEP or meeting specific exemptions (e.g., military transfers, foster care, homelessness). Private schools must still meet program standards, and scholarships remain available until the student graduates, enrolls in public school, or turns 22. The change makes the program more accessible for eligible students without prior public school enrollment.

Maddy summarySB 105 removes a requirement that students must have attended a public school the prior year to qualify for the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program. It modifies eligibility by adding exemptions for specific groups, including military-connected students, those in foster care, homeless students, and students transitioning from early intervention programs. The bill updates the law to allow these students to access private school scholarships without needing prior public school enrollment. This change directly affects families of students with disabilities seeking private school options through this state program.

Maddy summaryHB 1278 creates the Barbara Weber ALS Grant Program within Oklahoma's State Department of Health to provide funding for ALS research and support services for Oklahomans diagnosed with ALS or their caregivers. It establishes a renewable revolving fund in the state treasury, initially funded with $1 million from the General Revenue Fund, to sustain program operations without annual budget constraints. The program requires the State Department of Health to submit annual reports detailing grant recipients, amounts awarded, and fund usage to state legislative leaders. The law became effective July 1, 2025, after passing without the Governor's signature on May 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1278 establishes the Barbara Weber Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Grant Program, administered by the State Department of Health. This program provides funds to support ALS research and offer assistance to Oklahoma residents living with ALS or caring for an afflicted family member. It creates a dedicated revolving fund in the State Treasury for the program, which will hold appropriations, donations, and grants. The bill initially appropriates $1,000,000 for the program and requires annual reports on grant awards. This initiative directly affects Oklahoma residents impacted by ALS and organizations involved in ALS research and support.

Maddy summarySB 139 requires Oklahoma public school district boards of education to adopt cell phone policies by the 2025-2026 school year. Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, boards may choose to implement policies prohibiting students from using cell phones or personal electronic devices on school campuses "from bell to bell" during school hours. The bill directly affects school districts by setting a timeline for policy adoption and defining the scope of device restrictions during instructional time. This legislation, approved by the governor on May 3, 2025, provides a framework for district-level decisions without mandating specific enforcement.