Rep. Nick Archer

Maddy summaryHB 3180 removes the requirement for applicants to complete a firearms safety and training course to obtain a handgun permit in Oklahoma. This change directly affects all individuals applying for a handgun permit by eliminating the need to submit proof of training completion. The bill amends Oklahoma statutes by deleting specific provisions in Sections 1290.9 and 1290.12 that previously mandated the training course and documentation. As a result, the application process for handgun permits is simplified without this step.

Maddy summarySB 951 restricts fees for agricultural land irrigation leases managed by Oklahoma's Land Office Commissioners. It prohibits charging lessees (farmers or agricultural businesses renting land) additional fees beyond the originally accepted bid amount for irrigation, specifically when the water source is not owned or managed by the Commissioners. The bill directly affects agricultural lessees using irrigation systems not supplied by the Commissioners' land. Key provisions require that irrigation fees remain fixed at the bid price, preventing extra charges for water sourced externally. This change applies to commercial and agricultural leases involving irrigation improvements.

Maddy summarySB 50 exempts the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices from Oklahoma's sales tax. This change directly affects consumers who buy these items for personal use, as they will no longer pay state sales tax on these purchases. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code (Section 1357) to add gun safes and safety devices to the list of tax-exempt items, aligning with existing exemptions for other safety equipment. The law took effect on May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 50 exempts sales tax on the purchase of gun safes and gun safety devices, directly affecting consumers who buy these products. The bill removes the state sales tax from qualifying items like gun safes and safety locks at the point of sale. It became law without the governor's signature on May 29, 2025, making the tax exemption effective immediately for new purchases. This policy change simplifies the cost for buyers seeking to store or secure firearms safely.

Maddy summarySB 951 modifies Oklahoma law governing leases for agricultural and commercial land managed by the Commissioners of the Land Office. It prohibits charging lessees additional fees for irrigation beyond the original bid amount when the water source is not owned or managed by the Commissioners. This rule directly affects agricultural lessees who use irrigation from external water sources and prevents unexpected cost increases. The bill was passed by the Oklahoma legislature and is now effective.

Maddy summarySB 999 updates Oklahoma's definitions and procedures under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. It clarifies terms like "apparent owner," "claimant," and "holder," and specifies how unclaimed property in safe deposit boxes must be handled (including providing wills/trust copies upon request). The bill also establishes the "Unclaimed Property Fund" in the State Treasury for managing claims. This procedural update affects property holders, claimants, and the State Treasurer’s office, but does not change abandonment periods or claim eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 999 amends Oklahoma's Unclaimed Property Act to clarify definitions and update procedures for handling unclaimed funds. It sets a 5-year abandonment period for safe deposit box contents (Section 657.3), requires the State Treasurer to provide copies of wills or trusts upon request, and establishes the "Unclaimed Property Fund" as a dedicated trust fund (Section 668). The bill directly affects businesses holding unclaimed property (holders), individuals claiming funds (claimants), and the State Treasurer's office. Key changes include defining "mineral proceeds" more specifically and requiring electronic recordkeeping for claim submissions. The bill became law on May 28, 2025, without gubernatorial action.

Maddy summarySB 335 prohibits rate-regulated retail electric suppliers in Oklahoma from offering certain financial incentives to customers. The bill bans specific types of customer incentives that could influence electricity usage patterns, applying only to suppliers under state rate regulation. It takes immediate effect as an emergency measure following Governor approval on May 22, 2025. This law directly affects regulated electric providers but does not apply to non-regulated suppliers or other utility services.

Maddy summarySB 335 prohibits retail electricity suppliers from offering certain financial incentives to customers, such as discounts for switching providers or promotional deals. It directly affects electricity providers and their residential and commercial customers in the state. The bill bans these specific incentive structures to prevent potential market distortion or unfair competition. Signed by the governor on May 22, 2025, it took immediate effect due to its emergency designation.

Maddy summaryHB 2036 updates Oklahoma's eminent domain laws to ensure property owners can recover certain legal and professional fees when condemnation cases fail or when jury awards significantly exceed initial offers. Specifically, owners may be reimbursed for reasonable attorney, appraisal, and engineering fees if a case is abandoned, the property isn't acquired, or a jury award exceeds the initial compensation offer (or court-appointed commissioners' assessment) by at least 10%. The condemning party (e.g., government agency or utility company) must pay these fees, and initial offers must be made within 75 days of the commissioners' report to be considered timely. This applies to all condemnation proceedings under Oklahoma law.