Rep. Clay Staires

Maddy summaryHB 1958 allows school district boards of education to submit an "Affidavit of Board Action" to the State Department of Education as proof of an action taken at a board meeting, in lieu of approved meeting minutes. This directly affects school boards and the State Department of Education. The affidavit must be signed by the district superintendent or assistant superintendent and a board officer, and include specific details like the meeting date and a summary of the action. The State Department of Education is required to accept these affidavits. However, this change does not exempt boards from keeping official meeting minutes as required by other state laws.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 563 authorizes boards of county commissioners to develop a policy. This policy would allow county employees to receive up to three working days of paid administrative leave per calendar year. The leave is specifically for the purpose of serving as a precinct official, absentee voting board member, or other authorized election worker.

Maddy summaryHB 2125 removes a restriction that previously barred adjunct teachers from teaching special education classes in early childhood education programs. The bill authorizes adjunct teachers to instruct in special education within these programs, expanding their teaching scope. This change directly affects adjunct teachers employed in Oklahoma's early childhood education settings. The bill is currently pending in the Oklahoma legislature after passing committee amendments.

Maddy summaryHB 2125, as amended, revises the rules for adjunct teachers in Oklahoma's education system. The bill removes a previous restriction that prohibited adjunct teachers from teaching special education classes. This change allows school districts to utilize adjunct teachers in special education programs, offering more flexibility in staffing these roles.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires street-legal low-speed electric vehicles and golf carts to be registered as motor vehicles in Oklahoma. It mandates that these vehicles comply with national highway safety standards and restricts their operation to roads with speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, though they may cross higher-speed roads. Operators must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid Class D driver's license, without needing a special motorcycle endorsement. Service Oklahoma is authorized to register and license these vehicles and to create rules for their implementation.

Maddy summarySB 80 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to follow specific steps before proposing new turnpikes or modifications to existing ones. It mandates giving notice to affected property owners, allowing a 30-day public comment period, holding a hearing within 30 days of comments closing, and analyzing impacts on businesses (including requesting dollar estimates of costs) and consumer groups. The bill also specifies required details in public notices, such as maps, legal authority, and cost impacts, and grants affected parties legal standing to challenge violations with potential court cost and attorney fee recovery. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2872 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to follow new procedural steps before building new turnpikes or modifying existing ones. It mandates 30-day public comment periods for affected property owners and businesses, public hearings, and detailed analysis of financial and operational impacts on local businesses and consumers. The bill also requires the Authority to provide clear notices with maps and cost estimates, and allows affected parties to sue if procedures are skipped, recovering court costs and attorney fees. This directly affects communities, businesses, and consumers near proposed turnpike routes by increasing their input in the planning process.

Maddy summaryHB 1961 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program to provide one-time financial assistance to private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma. The program requires applicants to secure 40% matching funds, provide industry support documentation, and submit project proposals detailing testing capabilities, timelines, and budgets. A revolving fund in the State Treasury, financed through state appropriations and donations, will administer the grants, with recipients required to submit quarterly progress reports. The bill amends Oklahoma law to establish this program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1961 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program to provide financial assistance for expanding aerospace testing infrastructure. It directly affects private, public, and nonprofit entities in Oklahoma that can secure 40% matching funds and demonstrate industry support for projects. The program establishes a revolving fund in the state treasury for grant disbursement, requiring quarterly progress reports and repayment if terms aren't met. The bill amends existing statutes to formalize this grant program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2872, the Transportation Reform Act of 2025, requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to follow specific public engagement procedures before proposing new turnpikes or modifying existing ones. It mandates that the Authority provide clear notice to affected property owners and businesses, include plain-language summaries and maps, allow a 30-day public comment period, and hold a hearing within 30 days of the comment period’s end. The bill also requires the Authority to analyze and potentially modify proposals to address adverse impacts on businesses (including quantifiable cost estimates) and consumer groups. Violations of these requirements would make the Authority’s actions void, allowing affected parties to sue for costs and attorney fees. The bill is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2025.