Rep. Carl Newton

Maddy summarySB 1429 allows public school foundations (nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status) to spend funds on specific educational purposes for public school districts. It permits foundations to cover teacher professional development, employee/student scholarships, literacy initiatives, STEM equipment/supplies, technology support, and staff conference fees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and declares an emergency to expedite implementation. This directly affects school districts and foundations by expanding allowable uses of foundation funds for classroom and staff support.

Maddy summarySB 2138 creates the "Oklahoma Controlled Prescribed Burn Indemnity Fund" to reimburse landowners for damages when prescribed burns escape beyond their property, excluding insurance-covered losses or damage to the landowner's own property. It requires landowners to develop detailed burn plans (including weather conditions, firebreaks, and smoke management), notify adjacent landowners 60 days in advance, and alert fire departments 48 hours before burns. Landowners must pay a $100-$250 fee to file plans and can receive up to $1 million per incident, with payments made pro-rata if funds are insufficient. The bill directly affects landowners conducting prescribed burns, local fire departments, and the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, which administers the fund and verifies claims.

Maddy summarySB 1925 amends Oklahoma's penalties for violating protective orders in domestic abuse cases. It increases fines and jail terms for repeat violations and for violations causing physical injury, with mandatory 52-week domestic abuse treatment programs for offenders. First-time violations without injury carry up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fines, while second-time violations become Class D1 felonies with 1-3 years in prison. Violations causing injury now trigger misdemeanor Class D1 felony charges with 20 days to 3 years in prison, plus mandatory counseling. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of breaching domestic abuse protective orders.

Maddy summarySB 1935, the Commercial Solar Facility Setback Act, requires utility-scale solar facilities (over 1 megawatt) to maintain a minimum 125-foot distance from residences, unless the resident owner waives this requirement in writing. It preserves the original setback rules for repowering projects (replacing components without expanding the facility), ensuring existing setbacks apply rather than new rules. The bill excludes residential solar panels and specifies that overhead infrastructure must stay 50 feet from public roads (except for necessary interconnection lines). This Act takes effect November 1, 2026, and applies only to commercial solar projects, not home installations.

Maddy summarySB 1887 modifies Oklahoma school training requirements for staff handling allergies, anaphylaxis, and concussions. It updates the law to require school employees to complete annual training on food allergies, recognizing anaphylaxis, and administering epinephrine **only once every other academic year** (instead of annually), starting before the school year begins or upon hiring. This change applies directly to teachers, school nurses, and other staff responsible for student health emergencies. The bill also updates related policies for concussion management and medication storage but focuses the key change on reducing the training frequency. The training must still be documented in staff files and can be delivered online or in person.

Maddy summarySB 1973 amends Oklahoma's Crime Victims Compensation Act to expand the definition of "allowable expense" to include educational costs. Specifically, it adds reimbursement for tuition and fees at private schools, career and technology programs, public or private colleges, and academic tutoring services. This change directly affects crime victims or their dependents applying for compensation under the Act, allowing them to claim these new educational expenses as part of their reimbursement. The bill modifies Section 142.3 of the Act to include these provisions, effective upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 1922 requires Oklahoma's Department of Corrections to publicly share two specific types of inmate information: (1) programs inmates participated in (such as work or education), and (2) any disciplinary actions taken against them. This applies directly to the public, who will gain access to these records through the Department's website or other public channels. The bill mandates the Department to create rules for implementing this transparency measure and takes effect on November 1, 2026. It does not change sentencing, prison conditions, or other operational aspects of corrections.

Maddy summarySB 1831 modifies Oklahoma's dental licensing rules to expand emergency temporary licenses for dentists and dental hygienists (up to 90 days) and clarifies eligibility for military spouses living with active-duty service members. It updates exam requirements by allowing patient care during CDCA, Western Regional, or other approved dental exams and permits specialty exams year-round. The bill also refines disciplinary rules for dental assistants, defining "substantially relates" and "reasonable threat" for license revocation due to criminal conduct or violations. These changes affect dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants practicing under Oklahoma's State Dental Act, effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 4461 creates temporary licensing pathways for foreign-trained dentists and dental hygienists in Oklahoma. It allows foreign dentists to apply for a limited temporary license (up to 5 years) if they meet specific requirements, including proof of equivalent education, passing national exams, recent work experience abroad, and securing a job at qualifying settings like public health centers or hospitals. Foreign dental hygienists may also apply for licensure through a similar process requiring verified international practice and equivalent training. All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency, provide translated documents, and work under supervision of a licensed Oklahoma dentist. The bill establishes clear conditions for temporary practice while maintaining standard licensing oversight.

Maddy summaryHB 4456 establishes a 30% excise tax on the wholesale cost of e-liquid sold in Oklahoma. Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers who first receive e-liquid in the state must pay this tax and remit it electronically by the 15th of each month. The tax is structured as a direct cost to consumers, though collected from businesses, and revenue is split: 50% to a new Vapor Products Regulation Revolving Fund and 50% to the General Revenue Fund until 2028, after which 75% goes to the General Fund and 25% to the revolving fund for future regulation. The bill directly affects businesses selling e-liquids and ensures tax collection through retained invoices and Commission oversight.