Rep. Steve Bashore

Maddy summarySB 1684 requires operators of highway cleanup and remediation services in Oklahoma (such as towing and accident response companies) to maintain at least $4 million in insurance coverage. This insurance must be provided as proof when applying for or renewing a state license. The bill also establishes a $10,000 initial license fee and a $1,000 annual renewal fee, with a $10,000 reinstatement fee for revoked licenses. Failure to meet the insurance requirement may result in license suspension or revocation.

Maddy summarySB 1191 repeals Section 802.3 of Title 17 Oklahoma Statutes, which established the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative Board. This bill directly affects the board by eliminating its legal existence and authority. The legislation has no new provisions or mechanisms - it solely removes the statutory reference to the board, effective November 1, 2026. As a procedural repeal, it does not create new policies or impact energy programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2959 requires all school employees in Oklahoma to immediately report suspected abuse or neglect of students under 18 to both the Department of Human Services and local law enforcement (police, not school resource officers). It mandates that school superintendents or administrators must report suspected abuse by staff to law enforcement within 24 hours - before any school investigation or interviews occur - and prohibits school officials from questioning accused staff until law enforcement is notified. The bill also requires all school employees to annually acknowledge their reporting duty and defines "abuse or neglect" broadly to include sexual abuse, trafficking, and other specific offenses under Oklahoma law. This law directly affects every school employee and administrator in Oklahoma public and private schools.

Maddy summaryHB 3244 modifies Oklahoma law to strengthen penalties for patterns of criminal activity and exploitation of vulnerable individuals. It expands "pattern of criminal offenses" to include online acts (via social media, AI, or cellular networks) and adds identity theft to the list of crimes that can form a pattern, punishable by a Class D1 felony ($25,000 fine or imprisonment). The bill also increases penalties for exploiting elderly/disabled adults: theft of $100,000+ becomes a Class C1 felony, while lesser amounts trigger a Class C2 felony, with enhanced penalties for repeat exploitation. It directly affects criminals committing multiple offenses across locations or online, and those exploiting vulnerable groups (elderly, disabled, homeless, or minors) through coercion or deception.

Maddy summarySB 1496 modifies Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) procedures to clarify confidentiality rules and update record management. It allows the OSBI Director to digitally store and dispose of certain records, share statistical data (without personal information) with law enforcement and the public, and accept specific funds for operational use. The bill also clarifies when confidential investigation records may be disclosed to law enforcement, accreditation bodies, or for victim updates, while maintaining strict confidentiality for most investigative materials. These changes primarily affect the OSBI and law enforcement agencies interacting with its records.

Maddy summaryHB 2941 requires first responders (like EMTs and police) to contact law enforcement as soon as practicable after providing medical care for suspected drug overdoses, without delaying emergency treatment. It grants immunity from civil or criminal liability to first responders acting in good faith under this requirement. The bill also establishes that fentanyl is presumed to be the direct cause of death in overdose cases when reported by first responders, creating a legal presumption for investigations. This law directly affects first responders and law enforcement in Oklahoma by clarifying reporting procedures and legal protections during overdose responses.

Maddy summaryHB 3087 extends the response time for garnishees (like employers or banks) handling wage garnishment notices in Oklahoma. It changes the deadline from 10 days to 30 days for garnishees to file their response after receiving a garnishment summons, and updates related deadlines for defendants to object (from 5 to 30 days). This bill directly affects employers, banks, and individuals subject to wage garnishment by providing more time to respond to legal notices. The change modifies specific sections of Oklahoma's civil procedure code (12 O.S. Sections 1172.1 and 1173) without altering the underlying garnishment process or financial requirements.

Maddy summarySB 134 modifies Oklahoma's retirement rules by eliminating a one-year waiting period that previously prevented retired public employees from being rehired by their former employer. The bill directly affects Oklahoma state and local government retirees who wish to return to work with their previous participating employer. Under the change, retirees can be immediately rehired without needing to wait 12 months after retirement. This amendment updates Section 914 of the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System statute to allow seamless reemployment.

Maddy summaryHB 3246 names the "Oklahoma Crimes and Punishments Act of 2026" and specifies it will become effective November 1, 2026. The bill explicitly states it will not be codified into Oklahoma Statutes. It does not change any existing criminal laws or punishments, as it only establishes the act's title and effective date. This is a procedural bill with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Corporation Commission Modernization Act of 2026, which serves as a formal title for future legislation related to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. The law does not create new regulations or change existing policies but instead provides a specific name and citation for upcoming modernization efforts. It becomes effective on November 1, 2026, and is not codified in the Oklahoma Statutes. The bill is currently in early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been assigned to a committee for detailed review.