Rep. Mark Lepak

Maddy summarySB 2143 allows Oklahoma county assessors to use digital visual technology - such as drones, satellite imagery, or photos - for inspecting real property when determining property tax values, instead of requiring in-person visits. It updates tax code definitions (specifically Sections 2802 and 2821 of Title 68) to explicitly include "digital visual technology" as a valid inspection method. This change directly affects county tax assessors and property owners, as it modernizes how property values are assessed. The bill aims to improve efficiency in the assessment process while maintaining statutory accuracy standards.

Maddy summarySB 244 establishes the Program of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU). It creates a new academic program focused on teaching American political principles, leadership, civic engagement, and foundational texts of U.S. history and government through courses for students. The program will hire faculty, develop new majors/minors, and offer courses including an upcoming requirement for all OU students to complete a civic knowledge course. It requires annual strategic plans and reports to state leadership, with initial courses launching in fall 2027. The program will operate independently on OU's Norman campus, funded by state appropriations and donations.

Maddy summaryHB 3590, the Oklahoma Opportunity Scholarship Act of 2026, expands tax credits for Oklahoma taxpayers who contribute to scholarship-granting organizations. It increases the maximum annual tax credit: to $5,000 for single filers (up from $1,000), $10,000 for married couples filing jointly (up from $2,000), and $250,000 for businesses (up from $100,000). Taxpayers who commit to contribute the same amount for two consecutive years qualify for a 100% credit (up from 75%) on those contributions. The bill affects Oklahoma taxpayers making eligible contributions and requires scholarship organizations to submit annual financial reports to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. It takes effect January 1, 2027.

Maddy summarySB 2067, the "Protection of Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act," requires financial institutions to report suspected financial exploitation of vulnerable adults to Oklahoma's Department of Human Services. Employees must notify their institution if they suspect exploitation, and institutions must submit a report to DHS within five business days or after completing their assessment. The bill also allows financial institutions to temporarily hold transactions related to suspected exploitation and mandates they adopt internal policies for reporting and assessment. This law directly affects vulnerable adults, financial institutions, and the Department of Human Services by creating a structured process to prevent financial abuse through timely reporting and intervention.

Maddy summaryHB 1590 establishes the "Oklahoma Education Infrastructure Linked Deposit Program" to provide reduced-rate loans for school infrastructure projects. It directly affects charter schools and nonprofit education service entities by enabling them to access funding for constructing, expanding, or repairing buildings and integrated systems like HVAC. The program works by having the State Treasurer place state funds (as certificates of deposit) with eligible banks, which then offer these low-cost loans to qualifying schools, requiring borrowers to certify funds will be used solely for infrastructure. The State Treasurer and Board review applications, with banks applying standard credit checks and prioritizing schools based on local educational needs.

Maddy summaryHB 1170, the Oklahoma Public Finance Protection Act, requires state pension fund managers to base all investment decisions solely on financial factors affecting returns or risk, prohibiting consideration of environmental, social, political, or ideological goals. It directly affects all Oklahoma public pension plans (including those managed by state entities, counties, municipalities, and schools) and their fiduciaries. The law mandates that fiduciaries evaluate investments exclusively using "pecuniary factors," such as financial risk and return, and prohibits voting proxies or making investment choices to advance nonfinancial objectives, while allowing incidental consideration of factors with proven material financial impact.

Maddy summaryHB 2299, the "Dr. Tom Coburn Act," establishes rules for Oklahoma's delegates to Article V conventions (which propose U.S. constitutional amendments). It directly affects Oklahoma legislators appointed as commissioners or alternates at these federal conventions. Key provisions define "commissioner" and "commission," prohibit delegates from exceeding their assigned authority (e.g., voting beyond legislative instructions), and criminalize bribery, threats, or obstruction of delegates with a felony charge. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and is not codified in Oklahoma statutes.

Maddy summaryHB 3172, the "Fair Banking Act," prohibits Oklahoma banks and payment processors with over $100 billion in assets from discriminating against customers based on protected religion, speech, lawful economic activity, or bias toward these factors. It requires institutions to provide a specific written explanation within 30 days if they deny, restrict, or terminate services like checking accounts, loans, or credit cards. Customers can file a civil lawsuit if they believe discrimination occurred, and the law aligns with federal credit protections while adding new safeguards. The bill excludes insurance and investment services from its scope.

Maddy summaryHB 3595 creates a permanent "Safer Counties Revolving Fund" within Oklahoma's State Treasury, managed by the Department of Public Safety. This fund, financed by existing legislative appropriations to the Department, provides grants to all Oklahoma counties to purchase public safety and traffic barrier equipment. Counties must use these funds solely for public safety purposes and cannot divert them to other uses. The fund operates without annual budget restrictions, allowing ongoing disbursements for safety equipment purchases.

Maddy summarySB 419 amends Oklahoma law to explicitly authorize the State Treasurer to employ or appoint attorneys for legal matters, which was previously unclear under existing statutes. This change directly affects the State Treasurer's office by giving it direct authority to hire legal counsel, aligning it with other state entities like the Tax Commission or Land Office. The bill updates Section 18c of Title 74 by adding the State Treasurer to the list of state officers permitted to employ attorneys, clarifying statutory language without creating new legal duties. The amendment removes ambiguity about the Treasurer’s hiring authority while maintaining existing provisions requiring the Attorney General to handle most other legal matters for state agencies.