Rep. Tammy West

Maddy summaryHB 1460 adds new fees for criminal convictions in Oklahoma. It requires courts to collect a $10 fee for most convictions (excluding parking violations) and a $150 laboratory analysis fee for cases involving forensic services from OSBI, the Chief Medical Examiner, or local agencies. Funds from these fees are deposited into specific accounts: the $150 fees go to OSBI, medical examiner, or local law enforcement revolving funds, while the $10 fees fund the CLEET Training Center and General Revenue. The bill also creates a $5 fee for misdemeanor marijuana possession cases, with proceeds going to a drug education fund. These fees apply to individuals convicted of offenses punishable by fines or jail time, excluding minor traffic violations.

Maddy summaryHB 1460 adds specific fees to criminal court proceedings in Oklahoma. It requires courts to collect a $10 fee for most criminal convictions (excluding parking violations) and a $150 laboratory analysis fee when forensic services are used (e.g., by OSBI or county labs). The $150 fee funds state or local forensic services, while $5 fees for marijuana possession cases support drug education programs. Monies collected also contribute to the CLEET Fund for law enforcement training, with 7% of local fees reserved for municipal/county law enforcement training programs. This directly affects convicted individuals, courts, and law enforcement agencies receiving fee-based funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1462 requires Oklahoma courts to prioritize ordering restitution payments when sentencing defendants convicted of crimes (excluding death penalty cases). The bill mandates courts to order restitution to victims when the defendant can pay without hardship, with 12% annual interest, and clarifies that restitution must be paid before other sentencing options like community service or fines. This directly affects convicted individuals (who must pay), crime victims (who receive payments), and state agencies (like the OSBI that may seek reimbursement).

Maddy summarySB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within the Oklahoma State Treasury to support veteran memorial statues. The fund, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), uses private donations, gifts, or grants specifically for installing and maintaining these statues around the State Capitol Arch. It became law on May 21, 2025, without the Governor's signature, and operates as a continuing fund not limited by fiscal years.

Maddy summarySB 162 creates the "State Capitol Arch Memorial Statue Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury, managed by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The fund accepts only private donations, gifts, or grants specifically designated for installing veteran memorial statues around the State Capitol Arch. Monies in the fund are used to pay for these statues and can be reused as funds are replenished, with expenditures approved by OMES. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is a procedural measure focused solely on funding memorial installations.

Maddy summaryHB 1466 modifies Oklahoma's school accreditation process to provide school districts with clearer due process rights when facing potential accreditation loss. It requires the State Department of Education to notify districts within 10 working days if accreditation recommendations are made, giving them 10 days to request a formal hearing before the State Board of Education. The bill mandates that hearings must occur within 30 days of a request, with specific procedures for evidence presentation, legal representation, and written rulings. Districts failing to request a hearing or comply with accreditation standards within 90 days after a ruling risk losing accreditation. This directly affects public school districts in Oklahoma by establishing a more structured appeal process for accreditation decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1466 modifies the process for public school accreditation in Oklahoma, directly affecting school districts, the State Board of Education, and the State Department of Education. The bill specifies that accreditation standards will now include provisions for "deficiencies" in addition to warnings, probation, or nonaccredited status for schools not meeting standards. It establishes a formal due process hearing procedure, allowing school districts to request a hearing before the State Board of Education if the State Department of Education recommends an accreditation action. This process includes specific timelines for requests, allows for legal representation and evidence submission, and outlines the order of procedures for the hearing. If a district fails to comply with accreditation standards following a ruling from this hearing process, the Board can withdraw the school's accreditation.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 updates Oklahoma teacher salary rules to count up to five years of military service (including National Guard) during a national emergency toward salary increments and retirement benefits. This directly affects Oklahoma public school teachers who served in the military, allowing their service to count toward their salary progression and retirement eligibility. The bill caps this credit at five years total, regardless of the service period. It became effective without the Governor's signature on May 7, 2025, and modifies existing salary schedules to reflect this change.

Maddy summaryHB 1465 updates Oklahoma laws concerning teacher salaries and experience recognition in public schools. It clarifies that up to five years of military service during a national emergency can be counted towards annual salary increments, Foundation Aid computations, and the Teachers' Retirement System, defining specific branches of military service. The bill also maintains the minimum salary schedule for certified public school personnel. Additionally, it specifies how out-of-state, out-of-country, and certain state agency teaching experience is recognized for certification and salary increments, with a five-year cap for state purposes on military and out-of-state/country experience credit.

Maddy summarySB 53 updates Oklahoma's legal definitions related to child sexual abuse material by clarifying terms like "child sexual abuse material," "distribute," and "reasonable age verification methods" across multiple statutes. It specifies that "reasonable age verification" includes using digitized ID cards, third-party services, or other commercially reasonable methods to confirm users are 18+ before accessing certain online content. The bill modifies existing definitions in statutes covering possession, distribution, and child abuse offenses but does not create new criminal penalties or change sentencing. It directly affects online platforms, service providers, and law enforcement by standardizing how these terms are applied in Oklahoma law. The bill was signed into law by the governor on May 3, 2025.