Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summarySB 100 amends Oklahoma's income tax code to adjust how taxable income is calculated for individuals and corporations. It requires adding interest income from state or local government obligations (not already exempt) to taxable income, while also deducting amounts the state cannot tax due to federal or constitutional restrictions. The bill further modifies how federal net operating loss deductions are calculated, including specific rules for carryovers and allocations based on property location. This directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers and businesses when determining their state tax liability. The changes aim to align Oklahoma tax calculations with federal rules while updating statutory references.

Maddy summarySB 439 requires Oklahoma's Board of Dentistry to enforce state and federal laws governing diagnostic x-ray systems used in dental offices. The bill mandates the Board to annually submit related health and safety data to the State Department of Health and caps inspection fees at the existing rate set by the State Health Commissioner. It updates the Board's duties to include oversight of x-ray safety standards and reporting requirements, directly affecting dentists, dental practices, and the Board itself. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, with no changes to patient care or treatment protocols.

Maddy summarySB 15 clarifies when pointing a firearm is legal in Oklahoma, specifically expanding exceptions for self-defense and property protection. It removes administrative penalties (like license revocation) for licensed gun owners who point firearms in permitted situations, such as defending their home, business, or place of worship. The bill updates Oklahoma’s firearms laws to explicitly allow defensive displays of firearms and expands circumstances where physical or deadly force may be used against intruders. These changes directly affect gun owners, law enforcement, and property owners by reducing legal risks for actions taken in self-defense or property defense. The bill amends sections of Oklahoma Statutes related to firearm pointing, penalties, and defensive force provisions.

Maddy summarySB 442 allows Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) in Oklahoma to provide specific interventional pain management treatments, such as nerve ablation, spinal injections, and fluoroscopy-guided procedures, under defined conditions. CRNAs may operate freestanding pain facilities only when collaborating with a board-certified physician who is available for immediate on-site consultation. The bill explicitly prohibits CRNAs from performing surgical techniques, prescribing opioids, or conducting procedural sedation. This directly affects CRNAs, pain management facilities, and patients seeking non-surgical chronic pain treatments under these new parameters.

Maddy summarySB 809 would allow physician assistants (PAs) in Oklahoma who complete specific postgraduate clinical training to practice without direct physician supervision. It modifies Oklahoma law to remove the requirement for supervision agreements for qualifying PAs and clarifies their prescriptive authority for controlled substances. The bill repeals existing supervision rules (Section 521.4) and updates definitions related to PA practice and prescribing. This directly affects PAs with the required experience, expanding their scope to operate independently in clinical settings under the new framework.

Maddy summarySB 218 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma driver licenses for individuals released from prison who held a valid license before incarceration, automatically adding six months to their license term after release. It requires the Department of Corrections to provide documentation to help these individuals obtain a temporary provisional license through Service Oklahoma, with a $25 monthly payment plan toward outstanding fees. The bill also mandates that the Department of Corrections assist released inmates in securing post-release employment documentation, such as birth certificates and vocational records, as part of related provisions. This applies to non-mandatory-revocation offenses and does not grant driving privileges outside Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 319 creates an online licensing pilot program for cosmetology and barbering professionals in Oklahoma. It requires the State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering to use a web-based platform for license applications and renewals, with Service Oklahoma responsible for selecting and hosting the platform per state procurement rules. The bill clarifies that Service Oklahoma’s role is limited to platform management, while the State Board retains full authority over all licensing standards, exams, and disciplinary actions. This change aims to streamline the application process without altering existing licensing requirements. The program is set to begin on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 511 amends Oklahoma law to clarify when service providers (like storage facilities or tow yards) can place liens on personal property. It adds specific exceptions, excluding farm equipment and certain vehicles (e.g., those without a valid title or covered by other laws) from lien coverage. The bill requires lien claimants to follow strict procedures: notifying owners within 7 business days of service, providing detailed written notices, and submitting documentation to Service Oklahoma within 5 days. These changes directly affect property owners and service providers by defining clear lien eligibility and procedural requirements.

Maddy summarySB 499 amends Oklahoma's Religious Freedom Act to protect religious organizations, particularly 501(c)(3) places of worship, during emergencies. It defines emergency closures of such facilities as automatically constituting a "substantial burden" on religious exercise, prohibits treating religious activities as "nonessential" with stricter rules than comparable non-religious businesses, and bans restrictions on access to religious gatherings unless illegal activity is involved. The law also explicitly prohibits government discrimination in funding, benefits, or programs based solely on religious affiliation. These provisions apply to all government entities and take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 810 creates Oklahoma's "Zero-Based Budgeting Implementation Act," requiring the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) to categorize all state agencies into tiers based on budget size, employee count, and regulatory scope (e.g., statutes, rules, licenses). It mandates a staggered 6-year review cycle where higher-budget agencies are reviewed every 4-6 years and lower-budget agencies every 2-4 years, ensuring balanced annual review loads. Starting July 2026, LOFT must collaborate with agencies and the Governor’s office to analyze each agency’s programs, costs, statutory authority, and performance measures, then provide annual budget recommendations by December 1st. This directly affects all Oklahoma state agencies receiving funding, including boards, commissions, and trusts.