Rep. Daniel Pae

Maddy summarySB 129 expands in-person absentee voting opportunities for Oklahoma voters by increasing the number of days and hours they can apply for and cast ballots. It adds Thursday and Friday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) 14 days before elections, extends Saturday voting (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) before major elections, and adds Wednesday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) before General Elections. Voters must provide ID or swear an affidavit, and ballots are handled with specific security procedures for absentee voting boards. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, affecting registered voters in counties with over 25,000 voters or large geographic areas.

Maddy summarySB 340 requires railroad operators transporting freight in Oklahoma to carry physical copies of three specific items aboard every train: the cargo manifest, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook, and crew qualification identification cards. This applies directly to all railroad companies operating freight trains within the state. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $5,000 for a second offense within three years, and up to $10,000 for subsequent offenses. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025, and authorizes the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety to issue citations for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 340 requires railroad companies transporting freight in Oklahoma to carry physical copies of three specific items aboard every train: the cargo manifest, the U.S. Department of Transportation's Emergency Response Guidebook, and crew qualification ID cards. This applies directly to railroad operators handling freight within the state. Violations result in fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeated violations within three years. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 129 expands in-person absentee voting opportunities for Oklahoma voters by adding two new voting periods: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday 14 calendar days before any election, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Wednesday before General Elections. It directly affects registered voters in Oklahoma counties, particularly those who prefer in-person absentee voting over mail ballots. The bill amends existing law to extend the window for applying and voting in person, while maintaining current requirements for voter identification and ballot handling procedures. The changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2018 amends Oklahoma law to include physical therapists and occupational therapists employed full-time in schools within the legal definition of "teacher" for benefit purposes. This means these professionals, who must hold current certifications and state licenses, will now receive the same legal protections and benefits as certified teachers in school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies specifically to school-employed therapists meeting the certification requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2018 amends Oklahoma law to include certified physical therapists employed full-time by school districts in the definition of "teacher" for the purpose of receiving the same job protections and benefits as certified teachers. This change directly affects school districts hiring physical therapists, aligning their employment benefits with those of school nurses, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists. The bill updates Section 1-116 of Oklahoma Statutes to define "physical therapist" and specify they must hold current certification and state licensure. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and was designated an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 303 expands Oklahoma's property tax relief program to include disabled veterans and certain first responders. It allows honorably discharged veterans with a 75% service-connected disability, plus police, firefighters, or law enforcement officers receiving disability retirement for line-of-duty injuries, to claim tax relief on their primary residence. The bill modifies income limits and caps annual relief at $1,000 (up from $200), applying to households meeting income thresholds set by HUD. This change takes effect January 1, 2026, and directly affects eligible disabled service members and their surviving spouses.

Maddy summarySB 315 modifies requirements for county assessors regarding physical inspections of real property. It updates statutory language in Sections 2802, 2821, and 2823 of Oklahoma's property tax code to adjust when physical inspections are needed for property valuation. This change directly affects county assessors and property owners by streamlining the assessment process, reducing reliance on in-person inspections while maintaining existing valuation standards. The bill aims to modernize procedures without altering how property values are calculated.

Maddy summarySB 315 updates Oklahoma's property assessment rules by modifying requirements for physical inspections of real property conducted by county assessors. The bill revises definitions and standards related to property valuation, including how assessors estimate fair cash value without direct property observation. It affects county assessors who conduct property valuations for tax purposes and property owners whose assessments rely on these updated methods. The changes streamline inspection protocols while maintaining statutory requirements for property tax assessment accuracy.

Maddy summarySB 303 expands Oklahoma's property tax relief program to include disabled service members and first responders. It allows veterans with a 75% service-connected disability, plus first responders receiving disability pensions from Oklahoma law enforcement or fire systems, to claim tax relief if they meet the same $12,000 household income limit and residency requirements as existing eligible groups. The bill maintains the $1,000 annual cap on tax relief claims and requires the Oklahoma Tax Commission to provide annual income guidelines to county assessors. This change directly affects qualifying veterans, first responders, and their surviving spouses who are heads of households.