Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summaryHJR 1034 is a procedural resolution that approves most proposed permanent rules from Oklahoma state agencies while rejecting two specific rule changes. It approves all rules filed by the Board of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence, Attorney General, Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Office of Juvenile Affairs (except rule 377:1-3-26(c)(2)), Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics, and State Board of Licensed Social Workers. It also approves all Department of Public Safety rules except for rule 595:25-5-15(e). The resolution directs the Secretary of State to distribute copies to the Governor and "The Oklahoma Register" and became law without the Governor's signature on May 28, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1865 requires all Oklahoma election ballots to be printed in advance of election day, mandates polling places open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (with voters in line at closing allowed to vote), and requires voters to go to their assigned polling place instead of using centralized voting centers. The bill prohibits county election boards from operating voting centers (where voters can vote at any location in the county) except during emergencies approved by the State Election Board. It also clarifies that county election boards must follow these rules and specifies that emergency exceptions for voting centers are limited to precincts directly impacted by the emergency. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 995 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain legislative approval before finalizing permanent rules, affecting how regulations on businesses and services are adopted. It establishes annual deadlines (February 1) for agencies to submit rules, with lawmakers having until the end of the legislative session to approve or disapprove them. Rules not acted upon by the legislature during the review period are automatically disapproved, replacing the prior system where rules became effective after a deadline unless disapproved. This changes the process from passive default adoption to active legislative confirmation.

Maddy summaryHB 1865 requires all Oklahoma election ballots to be printed in advance of election day, sets fixed voting hours from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (allowing voters already in line at 7:00 p.m. to cast ballots), and mandates that voters go to their assigned polling place instead of using countywide voting centers. It also clarifies procedures for canceling voter registrations of people convicted of felonies, requiring tribal courts and federal courts to notify election boards directly. The bill applies to all county election boards and voters participating in state elections, with exceptions only for emergencies affecting specific precincts. It takes effect July 1, 2025, after being approved by the governor on May 22, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 995 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain legislative approval before final rules take effect, shifting authority from the Governor to the Legislature. This directly affects all state agencies that create permanent rules governing public policy, such as those regulating businesses, environmental standards, or licensing. The bill amends the Administrative Procedures Act to define "final rule" as one approved by the Legislature (via joint resolution), replacing the prior process where the Governor had final approval. As a result, new rules cannot become effective without lawmakers formally voting to adopt them.

Maddy summaryHB 2728, the "Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2025," requires Oklahoma state agencies to conduct detailed economic impact analyses for "major rules" that could cost businesses, local governments, or individuals $1 million or more over five years in implementation and compliance costs. Agencies must provide this analysis - including cost quantification, methodology, and cost-minimization efforts - before submitting such rules to the Secretary of State. The law creates a Legislative Economic Analysis Unit (LEAU) within the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency to independently review these analyses within 21 days and report findings to legislative committees. The LEAU must publicly post all analyses and annual reports, ensuring transparency about how proposed regulations affect the state economy and affected stakeholders.

Maddy summarySB 1024 requires Oklahoma state agencies to obtain Governor approval before drafting new rules or amendments. Agencies must first submit a detailed "statement of scope" outlining the rule's purpose, affected entities, and impact analysis, which the Governor can reject. The statement expires after 30 months, and agencies must restart the approval process if they significantly change the rule's scope. This bill also mandates agencies to analyze impacts on businesses and consumers before finalizing rules and allows the Governor or cabinet secretaries to block rules within 30 days of notice.

Maddy summaryHB 2729 amends Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to change how courts handle challenges to agency decisions. It requires courts to interpret state laws, rules, and regulations themselves (de novo) rather than deferring to agency interpretations, and sets a 30-day deadline for filing judicial review after an agency's final order. The bill also limits civil penalties in cases where a jury trial would be available under common law, and allows courts to award attorney fees for frivolous claims. These changes directly affect individuals or entities challenging agency actions in court, making the review process more structured and reducing agency influence over legal interpretations. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1024 revises the process for Oklahoma state agencies to create, amend, or repeal administrative rules. It requires agencies to prepare a "statement of scope" for any proposed rule, detailing its objectives and potential impacts, which must then be approved by the Governor before any rule drafting can begin. Agencies must also send proposed rule texts and notices to the Governor and relevant cabinet secretary, who can issue a written disapproval within 30 days to prevent the rule's adoption. The bill removes an expedited rule repeal exception and establishes that approved statements of scope expire after 30 months. These changes directly affect how state agencies develop and implement administrative regulations.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 1032 repeals specific administrative rules that were previously adopted by Service Oklahoma. This resolution targets particular sections within the Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC 670:15-1-10 and OAC 670:15-1-14). By passing this joint resolution, the Oklahoma Legislature exercises its authority to overturn certain agency rules. The bill directs the Secretary of State to distribute copies to the Governor and "The Oklahoma Register."