Rep. Anthony Moore

Maddy summaryHB 1770 requires Oklahoma State University's Veterinary Medicine Authority to conduct a comprehensive study of elk populations in Woodward, Dewey, Ellis counties, and a portion of Roger Mills County by November 1, 2025. The study must assess elk numbers, health, current management practices (like hunting), and habitat use to develop science-based management recommendations. It mandates the Authority to coordinate with state/federal agencies and may temporarily adjust hunting rules during the study. The resulting management plan will guide elk conservation and ecosystem health in the specified region.

Maddy summaryHB 4331 updates Oklahoma's Teachers' Retirement System rules for current and future members. It clarifies that nonclassified staff hired after July 1, 2021 (working 20+ hours/week) can join the system, with a 30-day opt-out window after hiring; those who opt out lose future membership eligibility and prior service credit if rehired in classified roles. The bill also revises partial lump-sum payment rules, allowing retirees to receive a portion of their benefit as a lump sum (based on 12-36 months of payments) while reducing their monthly retirement amount, with the payment subject to IRS tax reporting and rollover options. These changes directly affect Oklahoma teachers, administrators, and certified athletic trainers participating in the system.

Maddy summaryHB 4340 would add a sales tax exemption for the sale of "frack water" (wastewater from oil and gas extraction) in Oklahoma. This exemption would directly affect oil and gas companies and vendors selling this wastewater, eliminating the sales tax on such transactions. The bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax code to include this specific exemption under existing tax exemption categories. The policy change would reduce tax burdens for businesses involved in handling oil and gas extraction wastewater. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations and Budget Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Maddy summaryHB 4344 allows the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to reduce funding allocations to public colleges and universities when necessary to cover specific lease payments (under Section 3206.6a of Title 70) or annual obligations (under Section 3980.4 of Title 70). This bill directly affects all 22 institutions in Oklahoma's public higher education system by giving the Regents authority to redirect existing state funds. The key mechanism permits the Regents to adjust annual funding distributions to ensure required lease and obligation payments are made without new appropriations. The bill focuses on administrative flexibility in fund allocation, not new spending or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 4363 is a procedural bill that names the "Oklahoma Higher Education Reform Act of 2026" and sets its effective date for November 1, 2026. It does not establish new policies or affect any individuals or institutions, as it merely provides a title for future legislation and specifies it will not be codified in Oklahoma Statutes. This bill serves only as a naming convention for a potential future higher education reform measure. The bill was introduced on February 2, 2026, and referred to the Rules Committee for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 4341 requires court-appointed special advocates (CASAs) working with children in Oklahoma court cases to complete approved training and pass background checks before being assigned cases. It mandates three specific background checks: child welfare records, criminal history through the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and checks from previous states if the applicant lived in Oklahoma less than a year. The bill also establishes legal immunity for CASAs and program managers acting in good faith. This affects all CASA volunteers and the children they represent, with the requirements taking effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4337 amends Oklahoma's Quality Events Act to clarify definitions and requirements for economic development incentives tied to major events. It defines key terms like "quality event" (e.g., national championships, televised events) and "economic impact study," which must verify additional sales tax revenue generated by the event. The bill requires local governments to use these studies to confirm tax revenue increases before providing financial support to event promoters. This affects certified sponsors (event organizers) and local governments that fund or support qualifying events, ensuring incentives align with measurable economic benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 4329 modifies Oklahoma law to clarify dental insurance claim processes. It defines "covered services" as those reimbursable under a subscriber agreement, regardless of deductibles or waiting periods. The bill requires dental plans to establish appeal procedures for denied claims based on medical necessity and mandates that written denial notices include the reviewing dentist's license details and contact information. This directly affects dentists and dental insurance plans in Oklahoma by standardizing claim denial processes and improving transparency. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1193 removes restrictions on how much money Oklahoma school districts can carry over from one year's general fund to the next and eliminates penalties for exceeding previous carryover limits. It also removes a rule that previously blocked districts with per-pupil revenue over 300% of the average from receiving state aid. The bill updates the state's school funding formula to reflect these changes, allowing districts more flexibility with their budgets. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts by changing how their state aid is calculated and distributed.

Maddy summarySB 1476 modifies Oklahoma's Commissioners of the Land Office powers to increase operational flexibility. It changes requirements to allowances - for example, permitting Commissioners to *choose* whether to exchange land or request easements, rather than mandating these actions. The bill updates terminology (replacing "realtors" with "real estate licensees"), streamlines administrative processes (like electronic reporting and investment management), and clarifies lease terms for investment properties. These changes directly affect the Land Office's management of state school lands, leases, and investments, aiming to modernize operations while maintaining trust obligations.