Rep. Chris Kannady

Maddy summaryHB 2138 is an Oklahoma civil procedure bill that modifies rules for default judgments and defense objections. It extends the deadline for defendants to respond to lawsuits from 20 to 35 days in certain cases and clarifies when specific defenses (like improper service or venue) must be raised to avoid waiver. The bill requires courts to hold hearings on certain objections before trial and specifies that failing to raise defenses in a motion waives them. This directly affects defendants in civil lawsuits who must navigate response deadlines and defense procedures under Oklahoma law.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 revises Oklahoma's civil procedure rules, primarily affecting how parties respond to lawsuits and raise objections. The bill adjusts timeframes for defendants to serve answers, in some cases offering a choice between 20 or 35 days. It clarifies how various defenses, such as lack of jurisdiction or failure to state a claim, must be presented, either in a responsive pleading or by motion. The legislation also details when certain defenses may be waived and outlines procedures for preliminary hearings and how motions might be treated as requests for summary judgment. These updates aim to standardize and clarify the process for presenting defenses and objections in civil cases, including aspects related to default judgments and postjudgment procedures.

Maddy summarySB 1114 creates a property tax credit for Oklahoma homeowners with qualifying homesteads who meet the existing "limitation on growth of fair cash value" under state law. The credit equals the difference between a homeowner's current year property tax and the prior year's tax, but only if the current tax is lower. County assessors must deduct this credit from the tax bill by October 1 annually, though the credit cannot reduce taxes below zero. The credit applies starting tax year 2026 and is codified in Oklahoma Statutes. It directly affects qualifying homestead property owners by potentially lowering their annual property tax burden.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1114 establishes a new ad valorem (property) tax credit for owners of homestead properties in Oklahoma. This credit applies to properties that qualify for a state constitutional limitation on the growth of their fair cash value. The credit amount is calculated as the difference between the prior year's tax liability and the tax liability in the first year the owner qualified for the growth limitation. Property owners must claim this credit annually by October 1st, and it cannot reduce their tax liability below zero. This measure will apply to tax years 2026 and subsequent years, taking effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 568 requires Oklahoma state agencies and their investment managers to vote shares solely based on financial returns for pension beneficiaries, not social or environmental considerations. It prohibits following proxy adviser recommendations unless those advisers commit in writing to prioritize financial interests. Agencies must annually report all proxy votes - including management and adviser recommendations - to the State Treasurer via a public website. This applies to all state investments held for retirement plans, such as pension funds.

Maddy summarySB 740 updates key definitions in Oklahoma's mental health law to modernize terminology and clarify scope. It replaces outdated terms like "insane" and "mental disease" with "mental illness" throughout the law, and revises definitions for "facility" (excluding child guidance centers), "indigent person," and "person requiring treatment." The bill directly affects mental health providers, facilities, and individuals receiving care under Oklahoma's mental health statutes by standardizing language used in legal documents and treatment protocols. These changes aim to improve clarity in implementing existing mental health services and legal processes without creating new programs or funding.

Maddy summarySB 568 requires Oklahoma state entities managing public funds (like pension plans) to vote all shares solely based on financial benefit to plan participants and beneficiaries. It prohibits investment managers or government entities from following proxy adviser recommendations unless those advisers commit in writing to follow only financial guidelines. The bill also mandates annual reports of all proxy votes to the State Treasurer, including vote details and adviser recommendations, to be posted publicly. These changes apply to all state agency investments holding shares for public funds.

Maddy summaryHB 2140 changes how Oklahoma county assessors value unfinished commercial buildings. It applies to properties missing interior finishes (like floors, walls, or ceilings) that owners or contractors plan to sell or lease for tenants to complete. The bill requires assessors to value these properties based only on the cost of construction materials used before interior work, not the potential finished value. This change takes effect for the 2026 assessment year and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 1098 amends Oklahoma's ad valorem tax code to define "residential rental housing" as single tax parcels containing multifamily buildings or two or more single-family rental homes. This definition directly affects county assessors who must apply it when valuing rental properties and rental property owners subject to property taxes. The bill's key mechanism establishes a clear classification for rental housing to ensure consistent assessment procedures under the tax code. It does not change tax rates but updates terminology and valuation processes for these properties.

Maddy summarySB 1098 defines "residential rental housing" as multifamily buildings or two or more single-family homes constructed for rental use, adding these properties to Oklahoma's ad valorem tax assessment system. It modifies tax code procedures to require counties to assess the value of these rental properties using standard valuation methods (like sales comparison or cost approach) for property tax purposes. This directly affects landlords and property owners who manage qualifying rental housing. The bill updates statutory definitions and assessment processes but does not change existing tax rates or exemptions.