Rep. Daniel Pae

Maddy summaryHB 2020 modifies Oklahoma's process for handling citizen-initiated measures and referendums. It gives the Governor discretion to call a special election for these votes instead of waiting for the next regular general election, or to use the mandatory primary election for this purpose. The bill requires the Secretary of State to send ballot titles to the State Election Board at least 70 days before the next general election. This affects citizens who use initiative/referendum processes, the Governor, and election officials by changing when these votes occur. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2025 allows Oklahoma counties to publish required legal notices (such as public hearings or property sales) either once weekly in a newspaper or online. It permits counties to post these notices on a dedicated, easily accessible webpage on their public website instead of using print newspapers, maintaining the same required publication duration as newspaper notices. This change directly affects county governments, which must now provide online access for notices previously mandated to be published in print. The bill requires online notices to be displayed on a dedicated webpage visible from the county website homepage, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill, HB 2023 ("Oklahoma Property Tax Payment Policy Act of 2025"), is a procedural measure that names a future policy and sets its effective date. It does not establish new tax rules or directly affect taxpayers, as it only provides a title for a yet-to-be-enacted policy and specifies November 1, 2025, as its effective date. The bill is non-codified, meaning it will not become part of Oklahoma's official statutes. As a naming and scheduling act, it has no substantive policy changes beyond its title and effective date.

Maddy summarySB 724, the Expanding Public Sector Career Opportunities Act, prohibits Oklahoma public employers (like state agencies and local governments) from rejecting job applicants solely for lacking a college degree. It requires employers to define minimum job requirements using direct work experience instead of degrees, sets specific experience-to-degree equivalencies (e.g., 4 years of experience for a bachelor’s degree), and mandates justification for degree requirements. Applicants rejected based on lacking a degree can appeal to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services, which may order employers to revise job postings or restart hiring. The bill applies to most public sector hiring but excludes certain educational appointments and contractor requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Insurance Act of 2025 as a new legal citation for Oklahoma insurance regulations. It does not change any existing insurance rules or requirements but simply provides a formal name for future reference. The legislation sets an effective date of November 1, 2025, for when this naming convention begins. The bill affects all insurance-related laws in Oklahoma by creating a consistent title for the Insurance Act.

Maddy summarySB 183 amends Oklahoma's Kratom Consumer Protection Act by updating key definitions for kratom products. It specifies that kratom leaf must not exceed 3.5% total alkaloids when dried, kratom leaf extract must have mitragynine as the dominant alkaloid (at least twice other alkaloids), and final kratom products must limit 7-hydroxymitragynine to no more than 1% of total alkaloids. These changes directly affect vendors - including stores, restaurants, and supermarkets - that sell or prepare kratom products. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, clarifying regulatory standards for legally marketed kratom items.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts eligibility for state tuition aid grants for incarcerated individuals by prohibiting awards to those currently in correctional facilities who are enrolled in programs primarily focused on virtual learning. Additionally, it limits grant eligibility to incarcerated people who are within five years of their expected release date. These changes directly affect inmates seeking financial assistance for education while serving their sentences and the administrators of state-funded tuition programs. The legislation aims to narrow the scope of who can receive these grants while incarcerated, emphasizing proximity to release and the format of the educational program.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Oklahoma Open Meeting Act to clarify definitions and procedures for public bodies, including how they conduct meetings during public health emergencies. It specifically defines a public health emergency as an imminent threat causing a high probability of deaths or serious disabilities, and it sets rules for holding meetings via electronic means such as videoconferencing. The legislation also outlines requirements for public notice, participation, and the availability of meeting records, while excluding certain groups like administrative staff and specific judicial teams from the definition of a public body. Additionally, the bill establishes conditions under which public officials may be immune from liability for violations of the act.