Rep. Brad Boles

Maddy summaryHB 3474, titled "Cities and Towns Act of 2026," is a procedural bill that formally names this legislative act and sets its effective date. It does not introduce new policies or affect specific groups; it only establishes the name for reference and designates November 1, 2026, as the start date for any related provisions. The bill contains no substantive changes to city or town governance. As a naming and effective date measure, it has no direct impact on residents, local governments, or existing laws.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SB 130 requires the Corporation Commission to conduct a feasibility study on nuclear energy generation within 90 days, exempting the hiring process from standard state procurement rules. The study must evaluate economic, environmental, safety, and workforce impacts - including site selection near military bases, small modular reactor potential, and tax base effects - and include recommendations for federal funding. The Commission must complete the study within nine months and deliver findings to the Governor, Senate President Pro Tempore, and House Speaker. This bill directly affects the Corporation Commission and future energy planning in Oklahoma, without mandating nuclear development.

Maddy summarySB 130 directs the Corporation Commission to conduct a feasibility study on certain business regulations, with specific requirements for the study's content and process. The bill mandates that the Commission complete this study under a defined timeline and procedure, including evaluating practicality and potential impacts. As an emergency measure, it became law after the Governor signed it on June 9, 2025, though it does not change existing regulations - it only requires the Commission to assess them.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires owners of commercial solar energy facilities in Oklahoma to pay annual property taxes on their solar installations by December 31 each year. It directly affects commercial solar facility owners, who previously may have been exempt from such taxes. The key provision mandates that taxes and other assessments be paid to the county treasurer annually, aligning commercial solar facilities with standard property tax rules. This changes the tax treatment for commercial solar projects, making them subject to local property tax requirements effective immediately.

Maddy summarySB 132 requires oil and gas operators in Oklahoma to plug or resume production from idle gas wells that have not produced gas for 10 or more consecutive years. Operators with wells idle for 20+ years must reduce idle wells by 25% by 2028, 50% by 2031, and fully plug all remaining by 2035. Newer idle wells (less than 20 years idle) have a 10-year window from the law's effective date to plug or produce. Operators may request exceptions for future uses like carbon storage or geothermal energy, but must prove "good cause" to the Corporation Commission. The bill defines "idle gas wells" as non-producing wells with no commercial gas sales for 10+ years and no valid future use plan.

Maddy summarySB 915 requires owners of commercial solar energy facilities to pay annual ad valorem taxes and other assessments on their solar installations by December 31 each year. This policy directly affects businesses and developers operating large-scale solar projects in Oklahoma. The key provision replaces previous tax exemptions for such facilities, mandating standard property tax payments starting upon the bill's effective date. The bill does not establish new technical standards for solar facilities but changes their tax treatment. (Note: The bill title mentions "standards," but the actual provision focuses on tax requirements.)

Maddy summarySB 132 requires gas well operators to either plug inactive wells or begin production from specific wells by set deadlines, directly affecting oil and gas companies operating in the state. The bill clarifies the Corporation Commission’s (the state regulatory agency) authority over these wells, ensuring operators comply with safety and environmental standards. It mandates timely action to prevent abandoned wells from causing environmental harm or safety risks, with deadlines specified in the legislation. The law became effective without the Governor’s signature on May 29, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 480 modifies Oklahoma's definition of "public utility" to exclude certain green hydrogen electricity producers from regulatory oversight. It allows entities producing green hydrogen to receive electricity solely for on-site use (or through contracts with utilities for their own facilities), without being classified as public utilities. The bill requires any project under this provision to include a natural gas component in power generation. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not obligate public utilities to serve these entities.

Maddy summarySB 480 extends the expiration date of the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2028, ensuring its continued operation. The OERB is a state board focused on promoting Oklahoma's oil and gas industry, encouraging efficient energy use, supporting environmental remediation of historical oilfield sites, and funding research and education related to energy. This extension directly affects the OERB and its ability to carry out these programs for the state. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and was enacted as an emergency measure.

Maddy summaryHB 1376 amends Oklahoma law to restructure the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing Excellence (OAME), a nonprofit organization supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers. It establishes a new board with nine voting members (five elected by small/medium manufacturers, four by large corporations) plus ex-officio state representatives, while requiring OAME to prioritize assistance for minority-owned businesses. The bill authorizes OAME to provide direct services like technology support, workforce training, market planning, and certification programs to help manufacturers improve competitiveness. This law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly benefiting Oklahoma-based small and medium manufacturers, especially minority business enterprises.