Rep. Jason Blair

Maddy summarySB 1475 designates the bridge on Indian Hills Road over Interstate 35 in Norman (Cleveland County) as the "Toby Keith Memorial Bridge," requiring the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers and collaborate with Toby Keith's family to create artwork honoring his life and career using public donations (not state funds). The bill mandates that any future replacement bridge or interchange at this location must retain the "Toby Keith Memorial Bridge" designation. This is a commemorative measure with no new policy or funding requirements beyond the specified artwork and naming.

Maddy summaryHB 4311 amends Oklahoma's Unclaimed Property Fund rules to clarify allowable deductions from funds before deposit. It permits the State Treasurer to deduct up to 6% of funds for administrative costs (including legal fees and technology), 15% for a Clearinghouse Fund, and 25% for attorney fees in enforcement actions. The bill requires detailed public records of unclaimed property claims after 12 months, including claimant names and property details. These changes directly affect the State Treasurer’s office, financial institutions holding unclaimed property, and individuals seeking abandoned assets. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2955 amends Oklahoma's Captive Insurance Company Act to clarify rules for "protected cells" within captive insurance companies. It requires companies to clearly identify protected cells (separate risk pools) and specifies that these cells aren't separate legal entities. The bill adds requirements for disclosure, written approval for transfers, and mandates that assets remain with the company during liquidation. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma-based captive insurance companies operating under the Act, particularly those using protected cells for risk management.

Maddy summaryHB 4305 modifies how county assessors value affordable housing properties in Oklahoma. It requires assessors to base fair cash value on projected income during construction/lease-up and adjust yearly using net income changes for stabilized properties. If such a property is sold without its affordable housing restrictions, an additional tax is imposed equal to the difference between taxes paid under this method and what would have been paid at the sale price. This tax must be paid by the property owner within 20 days of receiving written notice from the county assessor after the sale.

Maddy summaryHB 4303 shortens the deadline for Oklahoma cities and towns to publish non-appropriation municipal ordinances from 30 days to 15 days after passage. It requires full publication in a newspaper, with publishers adding the publication date in brackets (e.g., "Published [Month, Day, Year]"). This directly affects all Oklahoma municipalities that enact local ordinances, ensuring residents learn about new rules more quickly. The bill takes effect on November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4301 requires escrow and title companies to return earnest money to qualified U.S. veterans or active duty military members if a property appraises for less than the contract price. Companies that fail to comply face a $500 civil penalty per violation, with the funds added to the Attorney General's Law Enforcement Revolving Fund. The bill enforces a federal rule (38 C.F.R. § 36.4303(k)) and takes effect July 1, 2026. It directly affects veterans, active duty military members purchasing property, and the entities handling their escrow payments.

Maddy summarySB 2154 requires Oklahoma municipalities to provide written notice to both property owners *and* lienholders of record before cleaning neglected properties or mowing overgrown weeds/grass. The notice must be mailed 10 days in advance, detailing required actions and stating that failure to comply will result in municipal cleanup and a lien. Municipalities must then send a cost statement to both parties, with cleanup costs becoming a lien on the property that ranks equally with property taxes. The bill also allows municipalities to summarily abate neglect within six months of the initial notice without additional warning, streamlining enforcement for recurring issues.

Maddy summarySB 1265 changes Oklahoma law to extend the deadline for publishing certain municipal ordinances from 15 to 30 days after passage. This affects cities and towns (municipalities) that pass non-budgetary ordinances, giving them more time to meet publication requirements. The key provision simply updates Section 14-106 of state law to replace "fifteen (15) days" with "thirty (30) days" for publishing these ordinances in full. The bill does not alter the requirement that ordinances must be published at least once.

Maddy summaryThis bill helps Oklahoma homeowners displaced by turnpike construction by matching their new property tax burden to what they paid on their previous home. For the first three tax years after moving, eligible homeowners get an extra tax exemption equal to the difference between their old home's tax bill and their new home's tax bill. It applies specifically to those who owned a home purchased by the state's Department of Transportation for a turnpike project and now claim a new homestead exemption. The exemption begins for tax year 2027 and lasts three years.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates a planned Oklahoma turnpike corridor as the "Toby Keith Expressway" to honor the country music artist's Oklahoma roots and legacy. The named route, part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, connects I-44 East to I-35 near Indian Hills Road and extends toward I-40. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority will implement the name, and the resolution directs copies to be distributed to state officials and Toby Keith's family.