Rep. Chris Kannady

Maddy summaryHB 2118 updates laws governing the Oklahoma Military Department, the Adjutant General, and members of the state's militia, including the Oklahoma National Guard. The bill modifies the appointment, eligibility, and compensation of the Adjutant General and defines their authority over National Guard programs and facility security. It also updates military justice procedures, establishing guidelines for nonjudicial punishment and courts-martial, and adopts the Oklahoma State Manual for Courts-Martial. Additionally, the bill addresses specific offenses for militia members, such as prohibiting marijuana use and establishing policies for domestic violence.

Maddy summaryHB 2117 enacts the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, establishing a new framework for resolving civil disputes outside of traditional court proceedings. This act allows individuals and organizations in a dispute to work with their specially designated "collaborative lawyers" to reach a resolution. Participation is voluntary, requiring a signed agreement that outlines the matter and the parties' intent to resolve it collaboratively. The bill details how this collaborative process begins, how it concludes with a signed resolution, or how it terminates if a party decides to pursue traditional litigation.

Maddy summarySB 198 allows real estate contracts for the sale, conveyance, lease with an option to buy, or similar transactions to include a time period of up to 180 days to secure required permits, zoning changes, or other land use approvals necessary for the property's operation. This directly affects buyers and sellers in real estate deals where such approvals are needed before using the property. The bill does not require these approvals but gives parties the option to build this timeline into contracts without breaching terms. It becomes effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 657 (Oklahoma Senate Bill 657) allows police officers and others acting under their command to appeal pretrial rulings finding their use of deadly force unjustified directly to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals within 10 days. The law requires the court to give these appeals priority and automatically stays the underlying case while the appeal is pending. Officers who miss the 10-day deadline forfeit the immediate appeal but retain the right to raise the issue at trial or on direct appeal. The bill amends Oklahoma Statute 21 O.S. 2021, Section 732, and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 657 amends Oklahoma law regarding when a peace officer's use of deadly force is considered justifiable. The bill allows peace officers or individuals assisting them to appeal a pretrial ruling that finds their use of deadly force unjustified. These appeals must be made to the Court of Criminal Appeals within ten days of the ruling and are given priority, with other legal proceedings paused during the appeal. This creates a specific legal avenue for officers to challenge certain pretrial decisions related to their use of force.

Maddy summaryHB 2144, the "Insurance Consumers Protection Act," creates a new legal right for insured individuals and third-party beneficiaries to sue their insurance companies in court for "bad faith" actions, such as unreasonably refusing to pay or delaying valid claims. The bill clarifies that policy provisions giving insurers sole discretion over claim decisions are void. Claimants are entitled to a jury trial to determine issues of bad faith and the necessity of treatment, without first needing to exhaust administrative remedies with the Oklahoma Insurance Department.

Maddy summaryHB 2142 requires wind energy facility owners to ensure new construction or modifications do not harm military operations near installations. It mandates that owners submit FAA applications to the Oklahoma Military Department within 30 days and obtain a "determination of no hazard" from the FAA or resolve military impacts via the federal Clearinghouse. The bill prohibits projects that could interfere with military training routes, drop zones, runways, or defense airspace, with owners facing $1,500 daily fines for non-compliance. Confidential documentation shared with the Military Department cannot be disclosed publicly under Oklahoma law.

Maddy summaryHB 2142 prohibits the construction or modification of wind energy facilities in Oklahoma if they would adversely impact military missions, training, or operations, as determined by federal agencies. It requires wind energy facility owners to obtain an active "determination of no hazard" from the FAA or demonstrate that any adverse impacts to the Department of Defense have been resolved. Owners must also file copies of their FAA applications and final notifications with the Oklahoma Military Department, which can impose administrative penalties for non-compliance and initiate civil actions to enforce these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 860 would add 97 specific synthetic drugs and hallucinogens (including new fentanyl analogs, synthetic cannabinoids, and substances like psilocybin and PCP derivatives) to Oklahoma's Schedule I list under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. This would directly restrict possession, distribution, and use of these substances for all Oklahomans, making them illegal without specific authorization. The bill amends existing law to explicitly include these chemicals in Schedule I, the highest level of restriction for dangerous substances. The bill is currently pending in the Oklahoma Legislature after passing committee review but has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 860 proposes to amend Oklahoma's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act. The bill's primary action is to add an unspecified substance to the list of Schedule I controlled substances. This change would classify the added substance as having a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Consequently, the unauthorized possession, manufacture, or distribution of this substance would become illegal, directly affecting individuals and entities involved with it.