Rep. Carl Newton

Maddy summarySB 1500 requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) and other payors to pay pharmacies within 30 days for "clean claims" (properly submitted claims without issues). It prohibits PBMs from conditioning payments on post-transaction reconciliations or shifting payment delays to pharmacies, and mandates transparent accounting for payments. The bill also authorizes Oklahoma’s Attorney General to impose fines for violations and voids contracts that violate these rules. These changes directly affect pharmacies (as providers) and PBMs/insurers (as payors) by standardizing payment timelines and reducing financial risk for pharmacies.

Maddy summarySB 1255 requires Oklahoma's Department of Corrections medical director to certify qualifying medical conditions and request the Pardon and Parole Board to place eligible inmates on a special docket for compassionate parole consideration. It directly affects inmates with specific terminal or debilitating conditions like dementia, cancer, HIV/AIDS, or conditions causing near-death (six-month life expectancy), or those unable to perform basic self-care. The bill bypasses the standard two-step parole hearing process for these inmates and mandates that at least three Board members must concur to consider medical parole. The Board must document concurrence in meeting minutes, and parolees may face revocation if their medical condition poses public safety risks.

Maddy summarySB 1525 clarifies and expands the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department's ability to manage the annual statewide tourism conference. It allows the department to enter contracts with private entities for conference administration, with a $75,000 spending limit per agreement. The bill requires the department to charge registration and exhibit fees to cover costs, depositing all fees into a special account for conference-related expenses only. This affects the department directly, streamlining how it funds and organizes the event while ensuring financial accountability. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1327 transfers most operational duties of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission to the Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, making the Commission primarily advisory. The bill modifies Commission membership rules (requiring appointments by congressional district), eliminates the Commission's non-advisory powers, and changes how the Executive Director is appointed and compensated. It also adds new powers for the Commission, such as the ability to sue and create bylaws, while requiring meetings to follow open meeting laws. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and directly affects the Commission's structure, the Executive Director's role, and the department's operational management.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for how the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency administers federal HOME housing funds, primarily affecting nonprofit organizations, local governments, and other eligible entities that receive these grants. It requires the agency to follow federal guidelines without adding stricter state requirements unless specifically authorized, mandates a 30-day public comment period for any new program rules, and prohibits retroactive rule changes. The legislation also guarantees nonprofit participants a minimum 15% developer fee, ensures CHDOs retain program proceeds, and requires the agency to remove penalties if monitoring issues are resolved within 30 days.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma House Resolution designates the month of May 2026 as Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. It is a ceremonial measure that does not change laws or require new funding but asks state representatives and the public to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The resolution cites health statistics regarding asthma and allergies to justify the awareness designation.

Maddy summaryHB 4457 prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning or controlling pharmacy licenses in Oklahoma. The State Board of Pharmacy must revoke licenses of violators after November 2026, though it may issue temporary licenses for rare, orphan, or limited-distribution drugs until September 2028. Pharmacies must notify patients of service changes by January 2027, and the Board must provide lists of compliant pharmacies. This law prevents conflicts of interest by restricting PBMs from owning pharmacies.

Maddy summarySB 1330 increases compensation for Oklahoma's Pardon and Parole Board members. The Chair's annual pay rises from $24,800 to $46,000, and regular members' pay increases from $22,800 to $42,000, with specific monthly allotments for meeting preparation and attendance. The bill also requires members to attend meetings, stating that missing one meeting without a valid excuse forfeits that month's pay, and missing two meetings could lead to removal for "official misconduct" under state law. The changes take effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1346 creates a state program to provide competitive loans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects in Oklahoma. It establishes a $250 million revolving fund administered by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, which will allocate funds based on community size: 50% to projects in areas with under 30,000 residents, 25% to medium-sized communities (30,000-400,000), and 25% to large cities (over 400,000). The program requires loan applicants to meet criteria like project urgency, conservation efforts, and matching funds, with a reimbursement requirement if projects fail to meet terms. The Board must publish an interactive map showing project status, locations, and timelines on its website.

Maddy summaryHB 4459 allows groundwater irrigation districts or conservation districts to create metering programs for farmers, enabling certified participants to apply for a five-year flexible water allocation. This directly affects farmers in participating districts who can temporarily exceed their annual water limit by up to 200% in a single year, as long as their total usage over five years stays within the basin's overall allocation. To qualify, participants must submit annual metering certifications from their district and pay an annual fee. The bill also states that exceeding the 200% annual limit or five-year total triggers penalties for unauthorized water use, as outlined in existing law.