Maddy summarySB 749 creates the "Oklahoma Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act" for public universities in Oklahoma. It prohibits institutions from showing bias in approving property use for student groups or speakers based on viewpoint, race, or political affiliation, and bans requiring unequal fees from specific student groups. The bill mandates that all courses publish syllabi online by the 7th business day of each semester, including course titles, instructors, required materials, and historical grading data. It also requires institutions to collect and report student outcome data (disaggregated by minority status) and submit it to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. These measures aim to increase transparency around curriculum content and ensure compliance with the defined restrictions on "divisive concepts" in teaching.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 81 modifies payment processes for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) related to handgun license renewals and firefighter background checks. It clarifies that renewal fees ($85) can now be paid via credit card, electronic transfer, or check (previously limited to checks), and specifies that digital renewal applications require one passport photo while paper applications need two. The bill also doubles renewal fees for 10-year licenses ($170) and removes fingerprint search requirements during license renewals. These changes directly affect handgun license holders renewing or applying for licenses and municipal fire departments conducting criminal history checks. The bill repeals obsolete petty cash fund provisions in the statutes.
Maddy summarySB 733 sets strict time limits for filing criminal charges in Oklahoma: prosecutors must file an indictment or information within 5 business days (or 10 days in counties over 500,000 population) after an arrest. If these deadlines pass without charges, arrested individuals held in custody can automatically request release without bail (on "own recognizance"). The state may request extensions for "good cause," but missing the deadline triggers mandatory release. This directly affects people detained after arrest who face delayed prosecution. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 1502 appropriates $4 million for the construction and $1.4 million for the operation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) facilities at an industrial park in Oklahoma. These funds, drawn from the General Revenue Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, are intended to support health and safety measures for residents living near the industrial park. The bill directly affects communities adjacent to the industrial park and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, which will manage the funds. The funding becomes effective July 1, 2025, with an emergency declaration enabling immediate implementation.
Maddy summaryHB 1510 establishes the Oklahoma Revenue and Taxation Policy Act of 2025, which serves as a formal title for future revenue and taxation legislation. The bill does not create new taxes or change existing tax rules, but instead provides a legal framework for organizing and citing related laws. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, and is intended to streamline how Oklahoma's revenue and taxation policies are referenced and implemented.
Maddy summaryHB 2255 names the "HAZMAT Services Readiness Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill that does not create new legal requirements or affect specific entities. It establishes the act's name and implementation date without detailing policy mechanisms or economic development provisions. The bill is non-codified, meaning it will not be added to Oklahoma's official statutes.
Maddy summaryHB 1506 names the "Insurance Act of 2025" and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. The bill contains no substantive insurance regulations or policy changes - it is purely procedural, establishing the act's name and implementation timeline. It does not directly affect insurers, consumers, or any specific groups through new requirements or provisions. This bill serves only to formally designate the legislation and its effective date.
Maddy summaryHB 1083 preempts local housing regulations in Oklahoma, meaning state law (not city or county rules) governs residential tenancy matters like security deposits, lease terms, screening processes, and tenant rights. It prohibits landlords from retaliating against tenants who exercise legal rights - such as reporting housing code violations, requesting repairs, or complaining to housing inspectors - within 60 days of such actions. Tenants who face retaliation can recover one month's rent, actual damages, court costs, and attorney fees. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, directly affecting all landlords and tenants in Oklahoma's residential rental market.
Maddy summaryHB 1505 establishes the name "Insurance Act of 2025" for Oklahoma's insurance regulatory framework and sets its effective date as November 1, 2025. The bill does not introduce new insurance regulations or policy changes; it solely provides a formal title for the existing insurance laws. This procedural act directly affects state insurance oversight by codifying the bill's name in official records. It has no substantive provisions beyond naming the act and specifying its implementation timeline.
Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Insurance Act of 2025 as the official name for Oklahoma's insurance laws. It sets the effective date for these laws to begin on November 1, 2025. The legislation does not change any insurance regulations or requirements, but simply provides a formal title and start date for the existing insurance framework. It affects insurance companies and consumers in Oklahoma by clarifying when the current insurance rules officially take effect under this new name.