Rep. Carl Newton

Maddy summarySB 1086 requires Oklahoma voter registrations to be canceled if a voter is identified as non-citizen through government database matches. It mandates that voters who match non-citizen records must provide REAL ID-compliant proof of citizenship within 30 days, or face registration cancellation. The bill also restricts access to voter registration lists, requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship and residency, and bans commercial use or internet sharing of the list. These changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 modifies Oklahoma's Medicaid prior authorization rules for healthcare providers and facilities serving Medicaid beneficiaries. It streamlines approval processes for emergency services, clarifies requirements for "adverse determinations" (denied care), and defines key terms like "essential community provider" to ensure consistent application. The bill affects contracted entities (including hospitals, clinics, and dental providers) by requiring faster reviews for urgent care and updating how they handle denied claims. It became law on May 25, 2025, without the governor's signature, and directly impacts how Medicaid providers obtain approval for covered services.

Maddy summaryHB 1810 modifies Oklahoma's Medicaid prior authorization rules to reduce administrative barriers for healthcare providers. It removes certain prior authorization requirements for "essential community providers" (including Federally Qualified Health Centers, rural clinics, mental health centers, and hospitals serving vulnerable populations) and clarifies timelines for emergency service authorizations. The bill also updates definitions and procedures for Medicaid claims denials and appeals. These changes directly affect Medicaid providers and patients by streamlining access to covered services like hospital care and mental health treatment. The law became effective without the Governor's signature on May 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SB 1086 requires voters whose records match databases showing they are not U.S. citizens to provide proof of citizenship within 30 days or have their registration canceled. The bill mandates the State Election Board to compare voter lists with citizenship databases, notify affected voters, and allow proof via REAL ID-compliant documents. It directly affects registered voters flagged as non-citizens through this database matching process. The law also restricts access to voter registration lists, requiring applications for specific non-commercial uses like campaigns or political parties, and prohibits sharing the list online or with foreign entities.

Maddy summaryHB 1807 requires all Oklahoma groundwater permit holders to install approved metering systems (like telemetry devices) to track water usage, starting November 1, 2025. It creates a "five-year flex allocation" system beginning January 1, 2026, allowing permit holders to adjust annual usage within a basin's total limit - without needing new permits - but capping yearly excess at 200% of their annual allocation over the five-year period. The bill directly affects agricultural and commercial water users with groundwater permits, excluding domestic wells. It aims to standardize usage reporting and encourage conservation through structured, measurable water allocation.

Maddy summaryHB 1807 requires all Oklahoma groundwater permit holders (including agricultural and commercial users) to install approved measurement systems, like telemetry devices, to track water usage starting November 2025. It creates a five-year flexible allocation system allowing permit holders to exceed annual limits in individual years (up to 200% of the annual cap) while staying within a basin-wide total over five years. The bill applies to all existing and new permit holders in basins with established or pending water yield limits, excluding domestic wells. This system aims to improve water conservation through better data collection and flexible usage management.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 changes Oklahoma insurance rules for chronic condition care. It requires insurers to keep prior authorizations valid for six months for non-inpatient treatments (like outpatient care) and 14 days for inpatient acute care. For ongoing inpatient stays, insurers must approve extensions within 72 hours or continue paying providers; they cannot use stricter criteria than the initial approval. The law does not require coverage for conditions already excluded from policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 updates insurance requirements for prior authorizations related to chronic conditions, affecting patients, healthcare providers, and health benefit plans. It mandates that prior authorizations for non-inpatient care for chronic conditions remain valid for at least six months. For initial inpatient acute care for chronic conditions, prior authorizations must be valid for at least fourteen days. The bill also specifies that health plans must continue to compensate providers for inpatient care when a timely request for authorization continuation or an appeal for that care is pending. These changes are set to become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1073 requires the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission to administer mountain lion hunting through a lottery system, replacing open-season access for this species. This directly affects hunters seeking to pursue mountain lions in Oklahoma, who must now participate in a random selection process rather than hunting during designated seasons. The bill updates existing wildlife season rules (29 O.S. 2021 §5-401) to include this lottery mechanism while maintaining other provisions, such as senior deer hunting days and fee structures for permits. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1066 creates a state registry for physicians who recommend medical marijuana in Oklahoma, requiring them to complete specific medical education courses annually to be listed. It mandates that all medical marijuana businesses use a detailed inventory tracking system to record every transaction, from planting to sale, including product types, batches, and sales data. The law also prohibits physicians from being located at the same address as dispensaries and requires them to notify the authority if a patient no longer qualifies for a medical marijuana license. These changes apply directly to licensed physicians, medical marijuana businesses, and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, effective January 1, 2026. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 9, 2025.