Rep. Mark Lepak

Maddy summaryHB 1590 creates the "Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Linked Deposit Program" to provide low-interest loans for school infrastructure projects. It directly affects charter schools and nonprofit education service entities by allowing them to apply for loans through participating banks, using state-backed deposits as a funding mechanism. The bill requires loans to be used exclusively for building construction, expansions, or HVAC systems (not general operations), with banks prioritizing schools in areas with the greatest educational needs. The State Treasurer and Board will oversee application reviews, loan approvals, and annual reporting to state leaders.

Maddy summaryHB 2067 creates a process for people convicted of crimes in Oklahoma to seek relief based on new or undermining forensic scientific evidence. It allows convicted individuals (including those incarcerated, on parole, or who completed sentences) to file petitions if they now have evidence unavailable at trial or that contradicts evidence used at trial. Courts must determine if the evidence would likely change the trial outcome, and if so, may grant relief like a new trial, dismissal of charges, or release. The bill defines "forensic scientific evidence" broadly to include scientific methods, expert opinions, and reports, while protecting experts from liability for revised opinions based on new science.

Maddy summaryHB 2067 creates a new process for convicted individuals in Oklahoma to seek relief based on newly available or undermining forensic scientific evidence. It allows people currently incarcerated, on parole/probation, or who have completed sentences to file petitions if such evidence was not available at trial or contradicts evidence used during their conviction. Courts must grant relief if the evidence is "favorable" (meaning it likely would have changed the trial outcome) and the applicant met reasonable diligence standards. This bill directly affects those seeking to overturn convictions through forensic evidence, without changing sentencing laws or creating new criminal offenses.

Maddy summaryHB 1806 amends Oklahoma's individual income tax code to reduce tax rates for most filers, effective for taxable years beginning in 2024. It lowers the top marginal tax rate from 5.50% to 4.75% for single filers and 5.50% to 4.75% for married couples filing jointly (after specific income thresholds), while eliminating deductions for federal income taxes paid. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents with taxable income subject to state income tax. Key provisions include revised tax brackets for both single and joint filers, with the lowest rate reduced to 0.25% on the first $2,000 of taxable income for married filers.

Maddy summaryHB 1806 amends Oklahoma's individual income tax code to reduce the top marginal tax rate from 5.50% to 4.75% for tax years beginning in 2026. The bill also eliminates the deduction for federal income taxes when calculating taxable income, affecting all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents who pay individual income tax. This change lowers tax burdens primarily for high-income earners, as the reduced top rate applies to income above specific thresholds for both single filers and married couples filing jointly. The new tax brackets and rules will take effect for the 2026 tax year.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 amends Oklahoma's individual income tax rates for taxable years beginning in 2024 and ending in 2025. It lowers tax brackets across the board, reducing the top marginal rate from 5.5% to 4.75% for single filers and married couples filing jointly. The bill also eliminates the deduction for federal income taxes paid when calculating taxable income. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma individual taxpayers filing state income tax returns during the 2024-2025 tax years.

Maddy summaryHB 1788 reduces Oklahoma's individual income tax rates for tax years 2024-2025. It lowers rates across all income brackets for both single filers and married couples filing jointly, with the top marginal rate decreasing from 5.5% to 4.75% on income above certain thresholds. The bill also eliminates the deduction for federal income taxes paid when calculating taxable income. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents with taxable income during 2024-2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1596 amends Oklahoma's civil procedure rules to require more specific pleading in lawsuits. It directly affects anyone filing or responding to civil cases in Oklahoma courts by mandating that claims include "a short and plain statement, made with particularity of all material facts" supporting the claim, and changing how damage amounts are requested (e.g., stating only that damages exceed federal jurisdiction thresholds for most cases). The bill also updates language to be gender-neutral and clarifies rules for defenses and pleadings, but does not create new substantive legal rights or obligations.

Maddy summaryHB 1121 clarifies Oklahoma's public nuisance law by stating that manufacturing, marketing, or selling lawful products cannot be considered a public nuisance. It requires courts to find a defendant "in control of the conditions" causing the nuisance to hold them liable, and mandates private individuals seeking damages must prove through clear evidence that the nuisance directly caused them special injury. This bill directly affects businesses selling legal products (preventing nuisance claims against them), private citizens filing lawsuits, and courts handling such cases by setting stricter standards for liability. The changes take effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1119 creates an optional "shared savings incentive program" for Oklahoma health insurance carriers, allowing them to offer financial rewards to people with health insurance who choose providers charging less than the average rate paid by the insurer for comparable services. The bill requires carriers to provide incentives of at least 25% of the savings generated when enrollees use out-of-network providers who agree to accept rates below the average allowed amount, calculated as a cash payment or credit toward deductibles. Carriers must disclose program details, publish provider rates and incentives online, and report participation data annually to the Insurance Department. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies to all health benefit plans offered by Oklahoma-licensed insurance carriers.