Rep. Nick Archer

Maddy summarySB 1561 updates Oklahoma's enforcement rules for ambulance services that violate emergency medical regulations. It expands the State Commissioner of Health's disciplinary options to include requiring free public service or mandatory training programs, in addition to fines, license suspensions, or probation. The bill clarifies that out-of-state ambulance services responding to emergencies in Oklahoma must comply with state rules and submit documentation of their response. These changes strengthen oversight of ambulance services operating within the state.

Maddy summarySB 2117 modifies Oklahoma's Cooperative Marketing Association Act to clarify that all qualifying cooperative marketing associations must submit annual financial statements. These statements must detail the association's assets, liabilities, earnings, purchases, sales, and expenses to show financial health. The bill updates existing reporting requirements (previously in Section 17-13) but does not change the 8% interest cap on membership capital or the 10% reserve fund rule. It affects Oklahoma-based agricultural cooperatives that market members' products, requiring them to file these reports annually starting November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 2069 prohibits hunters in Oklahoma from taking migratory birds (including ducks, geese, doves, and cranes) by baiting or hunting on baited areas. It defines "baited areas" as locations where salt, grain, or feed was placed to attract birds, banning hunting there for 10 days after removal. The bill allows exceptions for normal agricultural practices like grain scattering during harvest but imposes fines ($250-$750 for first offenses) and automatic license revocation (1-10 years) for violations. This directly affects hunters using prohibited methods, with stricter penalties for repeat offenses. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3177 sets a base annual salary of $53,000 for court reporters regularly employed by Oklahoma's Corporation Commission. It also establishes additional pay based on certifications: $2,000 per year for each qualifying certification (like RPR, RMR, or CRR) up to a maximum $8,000 annually, plus a $3,000 equipment allowance and $400 per year in longevity pay (capped at $8,000 total). These provisions apply specifically to court reporters working for the Corporation Commission, with salary adjustments tied to certification levels and years of service. The bill directly affects court reporters employed by the Corporation Commission, detailing concrete pay structures rather than broader policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 3173, the Well Repurposing Act, allows Oklahoma's Corporation Commission to authorize converting existing oil and gas wells into facilities for energy storage or geothermal energy development. It defines key terms like "geothermal resources" (excluding oil/hydrocarbons) and requires the Commission to set fees and financial requirements for these repurposed wells. The bill states that wells actively used for energy storage are not considered abandoned, but must be sealed if operations stop for 12+ months. This directly affects oil/gas well operators seeking to repurpose infrastructure under Commission approval.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill requires investor-owned electric utilities to evaluate and potentially deploy grid-enhancing technologies that increase the capacity and efficiency of existing transmission lines without building new infrastructure. The law mandates that utilities analyze the cost-effectiveness of advanced technologies like dynamic line rating and high-performance conductors in their planning processes and report findings to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. If the Commission determines these technologies are cost-effective, utilities can recover the associated costs through rates paid by customers. The legislation specifically applies to investor-owned utilities and does not cover cooperatives or municipal providers.

Maddy summaryHB 4346 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax exemption for agricultural purchases by requiring specific proof of eligibility. It establishes an agricultural exemption permit obtained through county assessors (verifying farming property and no tax delinquencies) or alternative documents like IRS Schedule F forms or Farm Service Agency paperwork. The bill also allows vendors to honor out-of-state permits from Texas, Arkansas, Kansas, New Mexico, or Missouri for qualifying agricultural purchases. Additionally, it requires permit holders to notify vendors of non-exempt purchases to maintain their exemption, with a $500 penalty for misuse on non-qualifying items.

Maddy summaryHB 3270 regulates the transport and release of feral swine (wild pigs) in Oklahoma. It requires anyone moving live feral swine to obtain a license from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and restricts transport only to licensed facilities, handling sites, or slaughterhouses. The bill also makes illegal release of feral swine a Class D3 felony with a $2,000 fine, with limited exceptions for licensed sporting facilities or releasing tagged pigs within 24 hours of capture. This directly affects ranchers, landowners, and hunters dealing with invasive feral swine populations. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3176 creates the Oklahoma Gas, Artificial Intelligence, and Space Research Hub (GAS Hub) as the state's central coordinator for recruiting a U.S. National Laboratory. The hub will prepare federal-ready sites, coordinate workforce development, aggregate state incentives, and serve as Oklahoma's formal applicant to agencies like the Department of Energy and NASA. It requires the Oklahoma Department of Commerce to administer the hub, working with state agencies including the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority. The bill mandates annual reports on federal engagement and site readiness, with implementation effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3175 creates the Oklahoma Advanced Nuclear Energy Office within the Governor's office to support the development of advanced nuclear energy projects. The office will develop strategic plans, coordinate with stakeholders, and help businesses navigate nuclear permitting processes through a dedicated coordinator. It requires the director to submit annual plans and conduct a study identifying state regulatory needs for nuclear facilities by 2027. The bill directly affects nuclear project developers, state agencies, and future grant applicants seeking support for advanced nuclear energy projects in Oklahoma.