Rep. Carl Newton

Maddy summarySB 864 modifies Oklahoma's Sex Offenders Registration Act by clarifying who must register (individuals convicted of specific sex offenses after 1989, including those from other jurisdictions) and prohibiting plea agreements that allow offenders to avoid registration. It explicitly states that sealing a criminal record does not remove the requirement to register as a sex offender. The bill also updates statutory references and specifies an effective date. This affects current and future sex offenders required to register under Oklahoma law, as well as prosecutors and courts handling related cases. The changes aim to ensure consistent application of registration requirements without altering the core obligations for registrants.

Maddy summarySB 1012 establishes a formal process for wind energy developers to request waivers from setback distance rules near airports, schools, and hospitals in Oklahoma. The bill requires written waivers approved by school boards or hospital governing bodies to be submitted to the state energy agency (Corporation Commission) before construction begins. Developers who fail to provide required waivers or military airspace clearances (via FAA Form 7460-1) face daily penalties of up to $1,500 per violation. The law, effective July 1, 2025, updates existing rules to clarify compliance requirements for wind energy facilities while maintaining distance standards. It directly affects wind energy project developers and local school/hospital boards responsible for granting waivers.

Maddy summaryThis bill orders a legislative referendum to be voted on by Oklahoma voters at the next general election. The proposed law would create a new felony offense for individuals who possess both a controlled dangerous substance and a firearm at the same time. If approved, anyone convicted of this offense could face up to five years in state prison. The bill does not take effect until the referendum is passed by voters and the measure is codified into state law.

Maddy summarySB 222 creates Oklahoma's Maternity Care Pilot Program, providing a one-time $5 million grant to a single hospital to add labor and delivery services. The program targets hospitals meeting strict criteria: they must be critical access facilities, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations owned by public entities, profitable for two years, not currently offering such services, and staffed with at least one Certified Nurse-Midwife. Grant funds can only cover staffing, essential equipment/supplies, and maternal/infant health education - not construction. The State Department of Health will select the highest-scoring eligible hospital and develop application rules, with the program effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1012 modifies Oklahoma's wind energy setback rules by creating a formal waiver process for the 1.5-nautical-mile distance requirements near public schools and hospitals. Wind energy developers can now seek written waivers from school boards or hospital governing bodies instead of always complying with the fixed setback distance. The bill also updates military and FAA clearance procedures for wind projects near military installations, requiring documentation of no hazard and resolved defense impacts before construction. These changes directly affect wind energy developers, school districts, hospital authorities, and military installations. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and declares an emergency.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill orders a legislative referendum to be voted on by the public at the next General Election. If approved, it would create a new felony offense for anyone who possesses both a controlled dangerous substance and a firearm at the same time. The proposed law would carry a penalty of up to five years in state prison upon conviction. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been voted on by the state legislature.

Maddy summarySB 222 creates Oklahoma's Maternity Care Pilot Program, which awards a one-time $5 million grant to a single eligible hospital to add labor and delivery services. To qualify, a hospital must be a critical access facility, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, owned by a local government or public trust, not currently offering maternity care, and meet specific financial and staffing requirements. The grant funds may only cover obstetrics staffing costs, essential equipment, and maternal/infant health education - excluding construction or renovations. This program directly targets hospitals in underserved areas seeking to expand maternity care access.

Maddy summaryHB 1821 allows custodial parents (those with primary child custody) to file civil lawsuits against noncustodial parents who miss three consecutive months of court-ordered child support payments. It specifically targets parents who deliberately hide income without reporting it, requiring the custodial parent to provide evidence of this evasion. If proven, courts can order seizure of the noncustodial parent’s property/assets in addition to requiring back payments. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1828 is a procedural bill that establishes the name "Oklahoma Public Officers Technical Amendments Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. It specifies that this act will not be included in the official Oklahoma Statutes (noncodified). The bill does not change any existing laws or affect citizens, as it only names the legislation and sets its implementation date. This type of bill is administrative, focusing on legal formatting rather than policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1827 is a procedural bill that formally names the "Oklahoma Wildlife Act of 2025" and sets its effective date for November 1, 2025. It creates a noncodified section (meaning it won't be added to Oklahoma's official statutes) with no substantive policy provisions. The bill directly affects the legislative record by establishing this name and date, but it does not change wildlife management rules, regulations, or funding. This is a purely administrative measure, not a policy change.