Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summarySB 488 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies and local governments from purchasing drones or unmanned aerial systems after January 1, 2028, unless the devices are cleared by the Office of Homeland Security. The Office must maintain a public list of approved drones meeting security standards, including U.S. Department of Defense clearance, compliance with federal security laws, and cybersecurity protections to prevent unauthorized data transmission. This list must be updated every six months, and all state/local procurement must prioritize devices on the approved list. The bill ensures that only drones deemed secure by state security standards can be acquired using public funds, with contracts for non-approved drones deemed void.

Maddy summaryHB 1037 extends the sunset date for the Oklahoma Board of Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026. This procedural bill re-creates the existing board (composed of 7 members including licensed/certified counselors and a public member) without changing its structure or duties. It directly affects the board's continued operation and the oversight of alcohol and drug counseling licensing in Oklahoma. The bill does not alter licensing requirements or create new regulations.

Maddy summarySB 220 modifies Oklahoma's provisional driver license program for individuals with suspended licenses, excluding those convicted of offenses requiring mandatory license revocation (e.g., DUI). It requires Service Oklahoma to offer licenses allowing driving between 6 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. for a $5 monthly payment toward outstanding fees, with specific permitted travel routes (e.g., work, school, treatment). The Department of Corrections must provide license documentation to inmates before release. This updates existing rules to streamline reinstatement while collecting fees, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 916 prohibits foreign adversary nations (as defined by U.S. Commerce Department designations) and their agents from owning or controlling agricultural land or property within five miles of military installations in Oklahoma. It requires existing violators to divest holdings within two years and exempts residential property leases, diplomatic use under the Vienna Convention, agricultural research activities, and certain corporate operations. The law also allows limited waivers by the Governor if economic benefits outweigh security risks. It directly affects foreign entities designated as adversaries and imposes registration, divestment, and forfeiture penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summarySB 371 requires Oklahoma school districts to create policies blocking students from accessing social media platforms (including social networks, blogs, video sharing, and photo sharing) on school-owned computers or devices while on school premises. The bill defines "social media" broadly to cover all interactive online platforms where users contribute content. School boards must adopt these policies by a specified deadline, with rules to be developed by the state education agency. The law takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 437 modifies Oklahoma's driver license and identification card application rules by allowing only state-issued birth certificates (from the State Department of Health's Division of Vital Records) as valid proof of identity. It prohibits Service Oklahoma employees from accepting county-issued birth certificates for these applications, with the penalty being termination for violating this rule. The bill directly affects Oklahoma residents applying for driver licenses or ID cards who must provide birth certificate evidence. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, and does not change other ID requirements like passports or REAL ID-compliant documents.

Maddy summarySB 762 prohibits Oklahoma state and local governments from enforcing or collaborating on mandates issued by the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations (UN), or World Economic Forum (WEF). It explicitly bans the use of any requirements from these organizations as a basis for state actions, including mask, vaccine, or medical testing mandates, and prohibits collecting citizen data based on such mandates. The bill requires state entities to resist international organizations' efforts to exercise jurisdiction within Oklahoma and to avoid cooperating with federal efforts implementing such mandates. It declares an emergency to take effect immediately upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 579 prohibits Oklahoma's public funds - including retirement systems - from investing in entities owned or controlled by the Chinese government, Chinese political subdivisions, or Chinese-headquartered corporations. It amends Oklahoma's investment rules (62 O.S. § 89.2) to explicitly ban such investments while maintaining existing restrictions on other foreign governments. The bill affects all state-managed funds under the State Treasurer, requiring compliance with updated investment policies focused on safety and liquidity. This is a direct policy change to restrict financial ties with specific foreign entities, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Maddy summarySB 373, the Research and Education Protection Act of 2025, bars Oklahoma public schools and colleges from accepting gifts, grants, or contracts from "countries of concern" (including China, Russia, Iran, and others) or certain foreign entities without approval. It requires these institutions to disclose all such foreign gifts and contracts to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), post details on a public website, and undergo audits. The bill also mandates institutions to screen foreign researchers, establish research integrity offices, and prioritize agreements with "allied countries" like NATO members. Violations could lead to penalties, civil lawsuits, or loss of funding, with OMES reviewing all proposed foreign agreements.

Maddy summarySB 421 requires healthcare providers and facilities in Oklahoma to give parents clear notice about specific parental rights, including consent rights for biometric scans, DNA records, and video recordings of their minor children. It directly affects parents of minors by ensuring they are informed about these rights before certain medical or educational data is collected or shared. The key mechanism adds a new notice requirement for healthcare entities, clarifying when parents must be notified about data collection practices under existing parental rights. The bill does not create new rights but mandates transparency in how providers communicate these established rights to parents.