Rep. Josh Cantrell

Maddy summarySB 404 repeals specific sections (8.1-8.5) of Oklahoma's County Home Rule Charter Act (19 O.S. 2021), which previously allowed counties to adopt home rule charters. This bill directly affects Oklahoma counties that could have used the repealed framework to establish local governing charters. The repeal becomes effective November 1, 2025, removing the statutory basis for county home rule charters without creating new provisions.

Maddy summarySB 404 repeals Sections 8.1 through 8.5 of Oklahoma's County Home Rule Charter Act (19 O.S. 2021), which previously allowed counties to adopt home rule charters. This repeal removes counties' ability to create their own local charters under this specific provision. The change takes effect November 1, 2025. The bill does not create new authority but eliminates an existing option for county governance.

Maddy summarySB 935, the "Citizen Access to County Facilities Act," limits county liability for injuries occurring during activities at county-owned facilities like parks, senior centers, or fairgrounds. It requires counties to post a specific warning notice at facility entrances stating participants assume all inherent risks (including land, equipment, or negligent behavior), and counties cannot be sued for such injuries unless they acted with willful disregard or failed to address known dangers. The law applies to all participants using county facilities - excluding county employees - and mandates clear warning signs in black letters at least one inch tall. Counties must include the same warning in written facility contracts, and failure to post it removes their liability protection. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 935, the "Citizen Access to County Facilities Act," limits county liability for injuries occurring at county-owned facilities like parks, senior centers, barns, and fairgrounds. It requires counties to post specific warning signs stating participants assume risks from natural dangers, equipment hazards, or their own negligence. Counties are protected from lawsuits for such injuries unless they acted with willful disregard for safety or failed to address known, dangerous conditions. This law affects all facility users and counties, shifting responsibility for inherent activity risks to participants while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 466 amends Oklahoma law to increase the maximum annual salary cap for most county officers from $49,500 to $74,500. It specifically raises the sheriff's salary cap to $74,500 (previously $44,000 minimum but unchanged maximum) while maintaining the $19,000 minimum for all county officers. The bill directly affects elected county officials like sheriffs, clerks, and commissioners whose salaries are set by county boards. The change takes effect November 1, 2025, allowing county governing bodies to adjust salaries within the new limits.

Maddy summarySB 466 amends Oklahoma law to increase the maximum annual salary cap for most county officers from $49,500 to $74,500. It specifically sets the sheriff's minimum salary at $44,000 while applying the new $74,500 cap to all other elected county officials, including county commissioners and clerks. The bill updates statutory language to reflect these changes but does not alter how salaries are set (still determined by county boards). The new salary limits take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1668 creates a new commercial harvesting license for facilities breeding or hunting deer, elk, or other cervidae (like hybrids or exotic species) for profit. It requires license applicants to prove animals weren’t sourced from Oklahoma’s wild populations and mandates annual $300 fees. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry (ODAF) gains authority to inspect facilities and promulgate rules, replacing previous oversight by the Department of Wildlife Conservation. The bill also updates existing licensing fees and expiration dates for commercial hunting operations.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new commercial license for facilities that raise or hunt privately owned deer, elk, and similar animals (cervidae) for profit in Oklahoma. It requires a $300 annual license from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, proof that animals weren’t sourced from wild state populations, and allows inspections by the Agriculture Department. Existing commercial hunting licenses under Section 4-106 are replaced by this new system, with licenses expiring August 31 annually. The bill also clarifies license categories (e.g., $250 for big game, $350 for combined licenses) and sets penalties for violations.

Maddy summarySB 971 requires all freight trains operating in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (like engineers or conductors) aboard while moving, directly affecting railroad companies transporting goods. Exceptions include passenger/tourist trains, slow-moving trains (under 30 mph with a caboose), helper services, hostler operations, and loading/unloading at 10 mph. Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeated violations within three years. The law, effective July 2025, aims to enhance safety through mandatory crew staffing for freight operations.

Maddy summarySB 971 requires railroad companies in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (such as engineers or conductors) aboard freight trains while they are moving. It exempts tourism trains, slow-moving locomotives (under 30 mph) attached only to cabooses, helper services, hostler services, and low-speed loading/unloading (under 10 mph). Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeat violations within three years. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects companies operating freight rail services in the state.