Rep. Mark Tedford

Maddy summaryHB 1081 updates Oklahoma's real estate appraiser regulations by requiring appraisers to follow specific ethical standards and mandating transparency in payment disclosures. Key provisions include requiring appraisers to include invoices showing their payment from appraisal management companies (AMCs) with every valuation report, prohibiting AMCs from removing these invoices, and banning contingent fees or undisclosed payments. The bill directly affects licensed real estate appraisers and AMC companies operating in Oklahoma, ensuring clearer fee structures for clients. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not adopt the broader Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice.

Maddy summarySB 1348 amends Oklahoma's Employment Security Act to give the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission authority to adjust appeal filing requirements when necessary. It also allows the Commission to dismiss certain unemployment benefit cases if claimants fail to provide required information. These changes affect individuals applying for or appealing unemployment benefits and streamline the Commission's administrative process without altering benefit amounts or eligibility rules.

Maddy summarySB 1590 creates Oklahoma's Commercial FORTIFIED Roof Program to encourage commercial property owners to install or retrofit roofs meeting enhanced wind and hail resilience standards. The program, based on Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) guidelines or approved alternatives, directly affects commercial buildings (including offices, schools, and multifamily residences with five+ units) by offering potential financial incentives. Key provisions include the Insurance Department providing grants/rebates for qualifying roof upgrades, partnering with insurers to offer premium discounts, and certifying compliant roofs for use in insurance underwriting. Participation is voluntary, with no requirement for property owners to retrofit roofs or for insurers to reduce premiums.

Maddy summarySB 102 modifies Oklahoma's income tax code to exclude certain income from nonresident workers who spend limited time in the state. Specifically, it excludes compensation for nonresidents working in Oklahoma for less than 30 days per year if their total earnings from that work are $20,000 or less, effective for tax years starting in 2026. This applies directly to temporary workers, contractors, or short-term business visitors with minimal Oklahoma presence. The change simplifies tax calculations for these individuals by removing their limited-service income from Oklahoma taxable income.

Maddy summaryThis bill clarifies eligibility for Oklahoma's Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association coverage when an insurer fails. It ensures Oklahoma residents automatically receive coverage for life, health, and annuity policies, while non-residents may qualify only if the insurer was based in Oklahoma and no other state provides coverage. The bill specifically excludes structured settlement annuities from certain coverage rules and prevents duplicate coverage across states. It does not create new benefits but defines who qualifies under existing law, excluding reinsurance, self-funded employer plans, and certain policy features like dividends or marketing claims.

Maddy summaryHB 2932 caps noneconomic damages (like pain, suffering, or disfigurement) at $500,000 in most bodily injury cases, with higher limits ($1 million) for permanent mental injuries or severe physical injuries. It also requires mandatory liability insurance for motor vehicle accidents, setting a $100,000 threshold: drivers without insurance cannot recover the first $100,000 in bodily injury damages and must pay court costs if they win claims under that amount. The bill establishes these limits for civil cases arising from bodily injury claims, applying to injuries occurring on or after November 1, 2026. It does not affect government tort claims or actions under specific constitutional provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2930 limits how Oklahoma insurance companies can use traffic records when setting premiums, canceling policies, or refusing renewals. It prohibits considering traffic complaints, citations, or accident reports older than three years (except reckless driving or certain offenses, which can be considered up to five years). The bill also bans insurers from using dismissed charges, acquittals, or arrests without charges to increase rates or cancel policies, and prevents cancellation solely for filing a first claim (after 45 days of coverage), with exceptions for nonpayment or fraud. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2943 modifies Oklahoma's discovery rules to make it harder to depose high-ranking officials from government or large organizations. It requires parties seeking to block such depositions to prove the officer has unique scheduling demands, lacks personal knowledge of the case, and works for a complex entity. If blocked, the opposing party must then show they've exhausted other discovery methods and the officer has unique knowledge. The bill aims to reduce burdens on officials while ensuring depositions only occur when necessary. It takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3059 is a procedural bill that names the "Oklahoma Agriculture Act of 2026" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2026. It contains no substantive policy changes or new requirements for agricultural operations, funding, or regulations. The bill simply establishes the name for reference purposes and does not affect any current laws or stakeholders. This is a non-codified naming resolution with no direct impact on farmers, ranchers, or state agricultural programs.

Maddy summaryHB 3061, titled the Oklahoma Liens Reform Act of 2026, establishes a new legal framework for liens in Oklahoma without specifying detailed provisions in the provided text. The bill designates its own name for citation purposes and sets an effective date of November 1, 2026. As currently presented, the legislation does not outline specific changes to lien procedures or identify particular groups affected by the reforms.