Rep. Josh West

Maddy summaryHB 1414 changes Oklahoma's requirements for county sheriff candidates by adding a four-year full-time peace officer experience prerequisite, or equivalent military police service (verified by a DD214 form). It also mandates that newly elected sheriffs complete an approved sheriff's administrative training program within 12 months of taking office or risk losing their CLEET certification. The bill applies to all candidates filing for office after November 1, 2025, and does not affect current or previous sheriffs. This update aims to standardize qualifications and training for county law enforcement leadership.

Maddy summaryHB 1414 amends the qualifications for individuals seeking to become a county sheriff in Oklahoma. The bill allows veterans who have served four or more years as military police to fulfill the required experience for the office. To verify this, candidates must present a Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) when filing their declaration of candidacy. These changes are scheduled to become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 36 amends Oklahoma's property management rules by exempting five specific state entities from the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission's requirements. The bill removes the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Grand River Dam Authority, Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority, and the Commissioners of the Land Office from needing Commission approval for property transactions. This means these entities can now manage their real property without seeking Commission review for leasing, purchasing, or transferring land, while other state agencies must still follow the Commission's rules for property management. The exemption became effective without the Governor's signature on May 14, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 36 amends Oklahoma law to exempt five state authorities - the Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority, Commissioners of the Land Office, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, and Grand River Dam Authority - from the Long-Range Capital Planning Commission's property management rules. This means these entities no longer need Commission approval for leasing, purchasing, or transferring real property, and they are excluded from requirements to sell underutilized assets or deposit proceeds into the Maintenance of State Buildings Revolving Fund. The bill updates statutory language to clarify these exemptions while maintaining other provisions for state agencies not listed. It takes effect immediately due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryHB 1413 amends Oklahoma law to treat certain pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations as formal convictions for sentencing in domestic violence cases. This change directly affects individuals who commit stalking offenses and later face domestic violence charges, as prior stalking pleas or findings will now count as prior convictions. The bill modifies sentencing provisions under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Section 1173, ensuring that stalking-related convictions impact sentencing severity for subsequent domestic violence offenses. This policy change standardizes how stalking history is considered in domestic violence sentencing without altering the underlying stalking penalties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1413 amends Oklahoma law concerning stalking offenses. It clarifies that specific pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations will be counted as convictions for sentencing purposes. The bill outlines different felony levels for stalking, with increased penalties for repeat offenses, violations of protective orders, or prior violent crime convictions against the same victim. It also provides detailed definitions for what constitutes "harassment" and a "course of conduct" in stalking cases, covering various forms of unwanted contact.

Maddy summaryHCR 1006 is a resolution from the Oklahoma Legislature urging the United States Congress to propose a specific constitutional amendment. This amendment would clarify that states and Congress have the authority to reasonably regulate and limit the spending of money in political campaigns, elections, and ballot measures. If adopted, this would allow legislative bodies to set limits on election spending, potentially affecting political campaigns, organizations, and individuals involved in influencing elections.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 546 establishes consumer rights concerning the processing of personal data for Oklahoma residents. It defines terms like "personal data" and "biometric data," and grants consumers the ability to make specific requests regarding their data. The bill outlines duties for entities that control personal data, requiring them to provide privacy notices and disclosures, and comply with certain contractual provisions. It also authorizes the Attorney General to enforce these provisions, including a cure period for violations and penalties for non-compliance, while exempting certain organizations like nonprofits and data covered by HIPAA.

Maddy summaryHB 1415 amends Oklahoma's antitrust law to strengthen enforcement against violations affecting consumers and businesses. It allows injured parties to recover triple damages plus attorney fees (Section 205), while permitting the state Attorney General to pursue civil penalties of up to $1 million per violation (Section 206), considering factors like the violation's severity and impact on consumers. The bill also establishes a 4-year statute of limitations for claims and classifies certain antitrust violations as a felony punishable by fines up to $10,000 per violation after November 1, 2025. It directly affects businesses violating antitrust rules, consumers harmed by such violations, and the state in enforcing these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1415 amends Oklahoma law concerning antitrust violations, directly affecting individuals, businesses, and the state government. The bill allows those injured by such violations to pursue civil actions for damages, including treble damages and attorney fees, against offenders. It also authorizes the Attorney General to bring civil actions on behalf of the state or its residents to secure similar remedies and to seek civil penalties up to $1,000,000 per violation. Furthermore, the bill establishes criminal penalties, including felony charges and incarceration, for specific antitrust offenses. This legislation is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.