Rep. Mark Tedford

Maddy summarySenate Bill 924 modifies various procedures within the Oklahoma Employment Security Act of 1980. It primarily impacts individuals filing for unemployment benefits and the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC). The bill authorizes the OESC to modify appeal filing requirements under certain circumstances and allows for the dismissal of judicial review cases if required information is not provided. Additionally, it updates definitions related to claims, including digital and electronic filing, and revises provisions regarding the confidentiality of information.

Maddy summaryOklahoma Senate Bill 726 amends insurance claim procedures by requiring insurers to provide proof of loss forms upon written request and to submit a settlement offer within 60 days of receiving the completed form. It establishes that if an insured wins a court case, they receive 15% annual interest on the claim amount from when the loss was payable until the verdict, while insurers win interest if the court judgment doesn’t exceed their settlement offer. The law applies to most insurance claims but excludes uninsured motorist coverage and property insurance. This bill directly affects policyholders filing claims and insurers handling those claims in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 726 amends Oklahoma's insurance laws regarding how insurers process claims after receiving a proof of loss. The bill requires insurers to submit a written offer of settlement or a rejection of the claim to the insured within 60 days of receipt. It also establishes rules for awarding attorney fees and costs to the "prevailing party" if a judgment is rendered, defining the prevailing party based on the relationship between the judgment amount and any settlement offer. If the insured is the prevailing party, the court would add 15% annual interest to the verdict. These provisions, however, specifically do not apply to uninsured motorist coverage or property insurance claims.

Maddy summaryHB 1081 requires residential appraisers to include a compensation invoice as the first page of all property valuation assignments. It also prohibits Appraisal Management Companies (AMCs) from demanding or removing these invoices when appraisers submit work. The law directly affects appraisers, AMCs, and their clients by increasing transparency around payment structures. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1101 requires dental insurance carriers in Oklahoma to annually report their "dental loss ratio" (the percentage of premium dollars spent directly on dental care services, not overhead) and specific plan data like enrollee numbers, costs, and coverage limits. Insurers must submit this information electronically by July 31 each year to the Insurance Commissioner, who will publish the aggregated data publicly by January 1st for comparison. The law also mandates the Commissioner to investigate carriers with significantly deviating ratios and impose penalties for non-compliance. This directly affects dental insurers operating in Oklahoma, aiming to increase transparency about how premiums are used.

Maddy summaryHB 1082 modifies Oklahoma's child custody laws to prioritize joint custody arrangements. It establishes a rebuttable presumption that joint custody with equal parenting time is in a child's best interest, requiring courts to consider this unless evidence shows it would endanger the child. The bill also mandates that parents submit detailed custody plans - including living arrangements, child support, and medical care - and sets a two-year waiting period before terminating joint custody unless specific safety concerns exist. This directly affects parents and courts handling divorce or custody cases in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 833 changes how medical expenses are proven in Oklahoma personal injury lawsuits. It requires courts to use actual payments made by patients or Medicare reimbursement rates (instead of full billed amounts) when establishing medical costs for past treatment or future care. This applies to both current bills and future treatment costs, limiting evidence to amounts that would be covered by insurance or Medicare. The law directly affects plaintiffs, medical providers, and courts by standardizing evidence rules and preventing inflated billed amounts from being used in trials.

Maddy summarySB 555 creates an "Education Regulatory Sandbox Program" allowing Oklahoma school districts to apply for temporary exemptions from certain state education regulations. The bill specifically prohibits exemptions for mandatory requirements including teacher due process, background checks, disability education laws, standardized testing, salary schedules, financial reporting, and retirement/health insurance participation. School districts seeking exemptions must apply through a formal process, but the amendment explicitly blocks exemptions for the listed 8 critical areas. This program aims to provide regulatory flexibility while maintaining core educational standards and legal obligations.

Maddy summarySB 555 creates the "Education Regulatory Sandbox Program," allowing Oklahoma school districts to apply for temporary exemptions from certain state education regulations. The bill specifically prohibits exemptions for critical requirements including teacher due process rules, criminal background checks, disability education laws, state testing programs, minimum salary schedules, financial reporting, and participation in retirement/health insurance programs. School districts seeking exemptions must still comply with these 8 specific mandates. The bill establishes an application process for districts to request limited regulatory flexibility while ensuring core educational and operational standards remain in place. This is a procedural bill focused on defining the scope of allowable exemptions within the sandbox framework.

Maddy summarySB 1096 requires Oklahoma's Insurance Department to conduct impact analyses for health insurance mandates before they can become law. It mandates that bills proposing new coverage requirements (like specific treatments or providers) or administrative rules (such as prior authorization) must include a detailed report analyzing social, medical, and financial effects. The report must assess impacts on healthcare access, treatment effectiveness, insurance premiums, and state programs, and be attached to the bill before it can be voted on in either legislative chamber. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, applying to all health benefit plans in Oklahoma.