Rep. Rande Worthen

Maddy summaryHB 1819 increases the annual license fee cap for optometrists in Oklahoma from $300 to $500 per year. It requires all licensed optometrists to pay this fee by June 30 each year, with a 15-day grace period after written notice for late payments before license revocation. The bill establishes a dedicated "Optometry Board Revolving Fund" to manage collected fees, which must be deposited monthly into the state treasury and used solely for board-related expenses without legislative approval. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, directly impacting all optometry license holders in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 1693 clarifies Oklahoma's process for determining if a death row inmate is mentally competent to be executed. It requires inmates to file a motion challenging competency within seven days of the state's execution date request, with the court ordering a hearing to assess if the inmate can rationally understand the execution. The law establishes a presumption of competency, meaning inmates must prove incompetence by showing a "substantial doubt" through evidence like medical records. If found incompetent, the court mandates mental health treatment to restore competency within 30 days, with the state providing care until the inmate regains competency or the execution date is rescheduled.

Maddy summaryHB 1693 amends criminal procedure related to death penalty cases, specifically clarifying requirements for determining a person's mental competency to be executed. The bill defines what it means to be "mentally incompetent to be executed" and outlines the process for an attorney to challenge a person's competency after an execution date is set. It establishes procedures for trial courts to hold evidentiary hearings, order mental health examinations, and if found incompetent, mandates a stay of execution and the provision of competency restoration services. If deemed competent, the execution proceeds.

Maddy summarySB 76 clarifies Oklahoma's parole revocation process by explicitly authorizing both the Governor and the Pardon and Parole Board to revoke parole for violations, rather than relying solely on the Department of Corrections. It requires parolees arrested for violations to be jailed immediately, halting parole time and earned credits until a revocation decision is made. The bill also creates a new option: parolees may be placed in specialized correctional programs (intermediate sanctions facilities) instead of facing full revocation for minor violations, at the Department's discretion. This law, effective November 1, 2025, directly affects people on parole in Oklahoma who violate terms, and the state agencies managing parole.

Maddy summarySB 76 clarifies which officials can revoke parole in Oklahoma. It states that both the Governor (for parole granted by the Governor) and the Pardon and Parole Board (by majority vote, for parole granted by the Board) may revoke parole and must file revocation certificates with the Secretary of State. The bill also creates an alternative to full revocation: parolees who violate terms may be placed in an intermediate sanctions facility for disciplinary action instead of having parole revoked, at the Department of Corrections' or Governor's discretion. This directly affects parolees who violate parole conditions and changes the process for revocation decisions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 667 proposes updates to the Oklahoma Chiropractic Practice Act, affecting individuals seeking or holding a chiropractic license in the state. It requires applicants for a chiropractic license to use an online licensure portal and updates educational requirements to a valid Doctor of Chiropractic degree from an accredited program. The bill also specifies required national board exams and a jurisprudence exam, clarifies the process for notifying applicants of disapproval, and repeals the separate registration for chiropractic claims consultants. Additionally, it modifies definitions related to the scope of chiropractic practice, including animal chiropractic.

Maddy summaryHB 1689 amends Oklahoma's larceny law for lost property, establishing penalties based on the item's value: misdemeanor fines/imprisonment for items under $1,000, and escalating felony penalties up to 8 years for items valued at $15,000 or more. It specifically adds that removing retail shopping carts with intent to deprive the owner (or possessing such carts) is unlawful, punishable as a misdemeanor with up to 1 year in jail or $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects individuals who find lost property without making reasonable effort to return it or who remove shopping carts from retail parking areas. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1689 amends Oklahoma's crimes and punishments statutes, primarily by making certain acts related to shopping carts unlawful. The bill creates new misdemeanor offenses for individuals who remove a shopping cart from a retail establishment's parking area or possess such a cart with the intent to permanently or temporarily deprive the owner of its use. Those found in violation could face up to one year in county jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. Additionally, it updates existing statutory language concerning the larceny of lost property. The bill is set to become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to license professionals and prevent groundwater pollution. It requires well drillers and pump installers to meet training standards, partners with Oklahoma's Tier 1 research universities to develop groundwater workforce training, and establishes a revolving fund for program funding. The bill directly affects well drillers, pump installers, and groundwater industry professionals by mandating licensing and providing skills-based training. It aims to address groundwater protection through standardized practices and workforce development, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1817 creates the Oklahoma Water Resources Board Well Driller and Pump Installer Program to address groundwater safety and workforce shortages. It requires licensing for well drillers and pump installers to prevent groundwater pollution, establishes training standards with industry partners, and funds a specialized education program at a Oklahoma research university. The program targets current and future groundwater professionals (including drillers, pump installers, and plumbers) and mandates annual reporting to the Governor and Legislature. Funding comes from a new revolving fund in the State Treasury, effective November 1, 2025.