Rep. Brad Boles

Maddy summaryHB 1370 establishes a "Corporation Commission Plugging Fund" to address seeping natural gas and environmental safety issues related to oil and gas operations. The bill requires the fund to maintain $5 million, and if it falls below this level, an additional excise tax on oil and gas will be imposed until replenished. It specifies that 10.526% of oil excise tax revenue and 10.5555% of natural gas excise tax revenue must be allocated to this fund, with the remaining portions going to the General Revenue Fund and the Interstate Oil Compact Fund. The bill extends the fund's sunset date from 2026 to 2031, ensuring continued funding for these environmental response efforts.

Maddy summaryHB 3467 modifies leave policies for education employees in Oklahoma, specifically expanding maternity and adoption leave to cover children under four years old. The bill directly affects public school staff and other education employees who take leave for childbirth or adoption. Its key provision limits eligibility to cases where the child is under four years of age, narrowing the scope of existing leave coverage. The bill was amended to include this age restriction and referred to the Education Oversight committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 2992 establishes the "Data Center Consumer Ratepayer Protection Act of 2026," creating a new regulatory framework under Oklahoma's Corporation Commission. The bill directly affects data center consumers and ratepayers by implementing protections related to their utility rates. It sets an effective date of November 1, 2026, though the bill text provided does not specify the exact mechanisms or protections included in the act. As a procedural bill naming the act and setting its effective date, no detailed policy provisions are described in the available text.

Maddy summaryHB 3466 removes a specific petty cash fund for the Corporation Commission's legal division, which previously allowed up to $500 for court costs and legal expenses. The bill directly affects the Corporation Commission by eliminating this fund, while leaving all other agency petty cash funds (like those for hospitals, juvenile centers, or the Health Department) unchanged. The key provision deletes Section 1.C from the existing law, which created and limited the Commission's petty cash fund. The change takes effect November 1, 2026. This is a procedural adjustment with no new policy or funding changes beyond removing this single fund.

Maddy summaryHB 3465 extends the termination date for Oklahoma's Emission Reduction Technology Rebate Program from July 1, 2027, to July 1, 2029. This change directly affects businesses and entities participating in the rebate program, allowing them to continue receiving incentives for emission-reducing technology through 2029. The bill amends Section 55012 of the Oklahoma Statutes to update the program's end date while maintaining existing rebate mechanisms. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes Oklahoma's requirements for oil and gas operators to provide financial guarantees (surety) for well plugging and environmental compliance. It phases out "Category A" surety (based on $50,000 net worth) for new operators starting November 2025, while current operators may keep it but can voluntarily switch to "Category B" surety (like letters of credit or bonds). Category B amounts scale with the number of wells operated, starting at $25,000 for 1-10 wells (rising to $50,000 by 2028) and higher for larger operations, with a maximum of $150,000. Operators with fines or poor compliance records must use Category B, and the Commission can require higher amounts based on performance.

Maddy summaryHB 3464 is a procedural bill that creates the title "Battery Storage Regulation Modernization Act of 2026" for future legislation. It does not establish new regulations or policy changes but formally names the upcoming act and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. This bill directly affects Oklahoma's legislative process by designating the name for future battery storage regulation legislation. The bill itself contains no substantive provisions or mechanisms, as it is solely for naming and setting an effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 3469 changes Oklahoma's oil and gas industry financial surety requirements. It phases out Category A surety (a $50,000 net worth financial statement) for new operators starting November 2025, requiring them instead to use Category B surety (like cash, bonds, or letters of credit). Current operators with Category A can keep it but may switch to Category B, with amounts increasing based on well count over 2026-2028 (e.g., 1-10 wells start at $25,000 in 2026, rising to $50,000 by 2028). The bill also allows operators with lower plugging costs to use reduced Category B amounts (via affidavit) and mandates Category B for operators with fines, compliance issues, or pollution violations.

Maddy summaryHB 3463 requires Oklahoma cities and towns with $50,000+ annual revenue (excluding federal grants and certain utility trust income) to conduct annual financial audits or a simplified biennial review. Smaller municipalities (under 2,500 residents) may opt for the biennial review instead of full audits. If they miss filing deadlines, the state withholds their monthly gasoline tax payments until compliance, with unfiled funds transferred to a special audit fund after two years. The bill applies directly to local governments managing significant public funds.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates February 17, 2026, as "Oklahoma Aggregates Day" at the Oklahoma Capitol. It recognizes the aggregate industry (rock, sand, gravel, and gypsum used in infrastructure) for its $1 billion economic impact, supporting 8,450 jobs and paying 20% above-average wages. The resolution has no policy or financial impact - it is purely ceremonial, celebrating the industry's role in Oklahoma's infrastructure and economy. It was adopted by the Oklahoma House of Representatives on February 17, 2026.