Rep. Trey Caldwell

Maddy summaryHB 2752 modifies Oklahoma's eminent domain rules for electricity providers, prohibiting the use of eminent domain for renewable energy facilities (like wind, solar, battery storage, or hydrogen projects) on private property. It requires electricity companies seeking eminent domain for high-voltage transmission lines (>300 kV) to first obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Corporation Commission. The bill directly affects electricity providers, private landowners, and renewable energy developers by restricting eminent domain access for renewables and adding a regulatory step for major infrastructure. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2758 creates the "Preserving and Advancing County Transportation Fund" (PACT Fund) to allocate oil and gas tax revenues directly to Oklahoma counties for road and bridge maintenance. The fund prioritizes counties with the lowest current road maintenance funding, directing two-thirds of its money to help all counties reach a $4,000 per road mile target for highway upkeep. The remaining one-third is split equally between funding road miles based on statewide totals and allocating funds for county bridges using the most recent ODOT bridge inventory data. This bill directly affects all Oklahoma counties by providing a dedicated, ongoing source of funding for their local road and bridge systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2758 creates Oklahoma's "Preserving and Advancing County Transportation Fund" (PACT Fund) to redirect existing transportation tax revenue for county road and bridge maintenance. The fund allocates 66% of its money to help counties reach a $4,000 per-mile highway spending target, prioritizing counties below that level, with the remaining 34% split between road mileage (50%) and bridge counts (50%) across all counties. All funds must be deposited into county highway funds and used exclusively for constructing and maintaining county roads and bridges. This bill modifies existing tax apportionment rules to ensure consistent funding flow into the PACT Fund, directly affecting all Oklahoma counties by providing a structured, transparent method for distributing transportation funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2752 restricts the use of eminent domain (taking private property for public use) for renewable energy facilities like wind, solar, and battery storage projects. It also requires utility companies seeking to build major electric transmission lines over 300 kilovolts to first obtain a Certificate of Authority from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The bill directly affects electricity and gas providers, private property owners, and renewable energy developers by limiting eminent domain for renewables and adding a new approval step for large transmission projects. It becomes effective June 9, 2025, after Governor approval.

Maddy summaryHB 2753 sets a $15 million annual cap on state tax credits for capital investments under Oklahoma's Rural Jobs Act, affecting rural funds and investors seeking these credits. It requires that at least 10% of a rural investor's capital must come from internal sources like employees or directors (not the entity claiming credits) and includes a process for verifying eligible businesses. The bill also authorizes an additional $200 million in tax credits for rural investments, expanding the program effective July 1, 2025, while maintaining consistent administration under existing rules. These changes aim to structure and grow rural economic development opportunities through defined credit limits and investment requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2778 creates the Teacher Recruitment and Retention Program (expiring November 1, 2028) to support child care workers at licensed facilities. It directly affects child care employees who work at least 20 hours weekly and meet income limits: $120,000 annual household income for two-parent households or $60,000 for single-parent households. Key provisions waive co-payments for eligible employees and exempt their income from subsidy program cost-sharing calculations, while requiring providers to notify the Department of Human Services if an employee leaves. The program operates under Oklahoma’s Child Care Subsidy Program rules, with all other eligibility conditions remaining unchanged.

Maddy summaryHB 2769 amends Oklahoma's military code to update the Oklahoma National Guard's structure and personnel rules. It requires the Adjutant General to have at least 8 years of Oklahoma National Guard service (previously 3 years) and sets their pay at Major General level. The bill creates the Oklahoma National Guard CareerTech Assistance Program, which provides education funding through a revolving fund for eligible Guard members pursuing career-focused training. It also adjusts nonjudicial punishment procedures, clarifies Adjutant General authority, and modifies eligibility for retirement benefits. The law directly affects Oklahoma National Guard members, leadership, and administrative staff.

Maddy summarySB 687 creates a rebate program for businesses purchasing equipment to expand broadband services in underserved or unserved areas of Oklahoma. It directs the Oklahoma Broadband Office and Tax Commission to administer the program, requiring equipment to directly enable broadband expansion (not operational costs) and limiting rebates to $42 million total - $31.5 million reserved for low-population-density counties. The Oklahoma Broadband Rebate Revolving Fund will pay approved claims, with payments calculated based on total eligible claims versus available funds. Providers must file claims by specified deadlines, and annual reports will track broadband project impacts without disclosing individual company names.

Maddy summaryHB 2785 requires Oklahoma's Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) to implement stricter budget oversight for the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. It mandates OMES to review agency budgets against actual spending before releasing funds, prohibit contracts without clear cost limits, restrict multi-year contract encumbrances to current-year funds, and block payments for unapproved expenses. The bill also requires OMES to report monthly revenue and spending status to the Governor, legislature leadership, and relevant committees. This directly affects state budget management for mental health services by adding specific financial controls to prevent overspending. The law takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summaryHB 2766 is the Oklahoma state budget bill for fiscal year 2026, allocating over $1.65 billion from the General Revenue Fund to support public schools. It directs specific funding for teacher salaries, textbooks, health benefits for staff, school administration, and the School Consolidation Assistance Fund, drawing from multiple sources including the Education Lottery Trust Fund and Mineral Leasing Fund. The bill was enacted without the Governor's signature on May 29, 2025, and directly affects all Oklahoma public schools and their students through these state-funded resources.