Rep. Gerrid Kendrix

Maddy summarySB 995 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain legislative approval before final rules take effect, shifting authority from the Governor to the Legislature. This directly affects all state agencies that create permanent rules governing public policy, such as those regulating businesses, environmental standards, or licensing. The bill amends the Administrative Procedures Act to define "final rule" as one approved by the Legislature (via joint resolution), replacing the prior process where the Governor had final approval. As a result, new rules cannot become effective without lawmakers formally voting to adopt them.

Maddy summaryHB 2728, the "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma state agencies to conduct detailed economic impact analyses for "major rules" that could cost businesses, local governments, or individuals $1 million or more over five years in implementation and compliance costs. Agencies must provide this analysis - including cost quantification, methodology, and cost-minimization efforts - before submitting such rules to the Secretary of State. The law creates a Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency to independently review these analyses within 21 days and report findings to legislative committees. The LEAU must publicly post all analyses and annual reports, ensuring transparency about how proposed regulations affect the state economy and affected stakeholders.

Maddy summarySB 1024 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain Governor approval before drafting new rules or amendments. Agencies must first submit a detailed "statement of scope" outlining the rule's purpose, affected entities, and impact analysis, which the Governor can reject. The statement expires after 30 months, and agencies must restart the approval process if they significantly change the rule's scope. This bill also mandates agencies to analyze impacts on businesses and consumers before finalizing rules and allows the Governor or cabinet secretaries to block rules within 30 days of notice.

Maddy summaryHB 2729 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to change how courts handle challenges to agency decisions. It requires courts to interpret state laws, rules, and regulations themselves (de novo) rather than deferring to agency interpretations, and sets a 30-day deadline for filing judicial review after an agency's final order. The bill also limits civil penalties in cases where a jury trial would be available under common law, and allows courts to award attorney fees for frivolous claims. These changes directly affect individuals or entities challenging agency actions in court, making the review process more structured and reducing agency influence over legal interpretations. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1024 revises the process for Oklahoma state agencies to create, amend, or repeal administrative rules. It requires agencies to prepare a "statement of scope" for any proposed rule, detailing its objectives and potential impacts, which must then be approved by the Governor before any rule drafting can begin. Agencies must also send proposed rule texts and notices to the Governor and relevant cabinet secretary, who can issue a written disapproval within 30 days to prevent the rule's adoption. The bill removes an expedited rule repeal exception and establishes that approved statements of scope expire after 30 months. These changes directly affect how state agencies develop and implement administrative regulations.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2729 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act, impacting how state agencies operate and how individuals interact with agency decisions. It mandates that reviewing courts and administrative hearing officers interpret state statutes and rules *de novo*, meaning they cannot defer to a state agency's interpretation, and should resolve any remaining doubt in favor of limiting agency power. The bill also requires a jury trial for civil penalties sought by administrative agencies if the underlying conduct would typically entitle a defendant to a jury trial at common law. Additionally, it clarifies when a claim for judicial review of a final agency order accrues and updates provisions for awarding court costs in review proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2728, known as the REINS Act of 2025, modifies the process by which state agencies create administrative rules. It requires agencies to perform a detailed economic impact analysis for any "major rule," defined as one projected to cost businesses, local governments, or individuals $1 million or more over five years. The bill establishes a new Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency to independently review these economic analyses and report its findings to legislative committees. This process aims to increase transparency and legislative oversight of the potential economic impacts of new administrative regulations.

Maddy summarySB 299 updates Oklahoma's tax code for calculating business income tax by modifying how net operating losses are handled and how income from property (like real estate or investments) is allocated. It directly affects businesses operating across state lines, particularly those with multi-state operations, by changing rules for deducting federal losses and assigning income from property. Key provisions include clarifying how Oklahoma treats net operating losses separately from federal rules for years after 2008 and updating allocation methods for income from publicly traded partnerships. The bill revises Section 2358 of Oklahoma's tax code to reflect these adjustments, updating statutory language without creating new tax rates or exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Archives and Records Commission from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, under the state's Sunset Law. This procedural bill does not change the Commission's structure or authority - it maintains the existing membership (Governor-appointed Chair, State Librarian as Vice Chair, and three other officials) and its role overseeing state records disposal. The extension simply delays the Commission's automatic termination by one year without altering its current responsibilities or scope.

Maddy summaryHB 1034 extends the expiration date of the Archives and Records Commission from its previous sunset date to July 1, 2026, under Oklahoma's Sunset Law. The Commission, composed of the Governor's appointee (as Chairman), State Librarian, Lieutenant Governor, State Auditor, and State Treasurer, manages the disposition of state public records and archives. This change maintains the Commission's existing authority over state records (excluding political subdivisions and certain tax commission records) without altering its structure or responsibilities.