Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summarySB 370 prohibits Oklahoma school districts from requiring or coercing employees to interact with employee organizations (like unions), distribute membership materials, or use school resources for such purposes. It ensures all educator associations have equal access to school facilities, communications systems, and events on the same terms as other groups. The law directly affects school employees and professional associations by preventing forced participation and guaranteeing non-discriminatory access to school resources. It amends existing law to clarify these restrictions and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 439 requires Oklahoma's Board of Dentistry to enforce state and federal radiation safety laws governing diagnostic x-ray systems used in dental offices. This directly affects dental practices that operate x-ray equipment, making them subject to stricter oversight of radiation safety compliance. The bill adds a specific duty for the Board to enforce the Diagnostic X-Ray Facility Act and other radiation-related laws, mandates data submission to the State Department of Health, and updates related fee schedules. These changes clarify the Board's authority to regulate dental x-ray safety without creating new safety standards.

Maddy summarySB 579 prohibits Oklahoma state funds from being invested in entities associated with the Chinese government or Chinese-owned corporations headquartered in China. It amends Oklahoma's investment statute to explicitly bar such investments while maintaining existing rules for U.S. Treasury obligations and foreign securities (capped at 5%). The bill directly affects the State Treasurer's investment decisions for public funds, including retirement systems. Key provisions require the State Treasurer to exclude investments linked to China from all investment policies and transactions. This policy change updates investment guidelines without altering existing limits on foreign securities or other investment categories.

Maddy summarySB 218 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma driver licenses by six months for individuals released from state prison who held a valid license before incarceration and were convicted of offenses not requiring mandatory license revocation. It requires the Department of Corrections to provide release documentation to help these individuals obtain a temporary license through Service Oklahoma before their release. To maintain this temporary license, individuals must pay at least $25 monthly toward outstanding fees and fines, with Service Oklahoma able to suspend the license for non-payment. The bill also updates existing law (57 O.S. § 513.3) to require the Department of Corrections to assist with post-release identification and employment documentation.

Maddy summarySB 100 amends Oklahoma's income tax code to clarify how taxpayers adjust taxable income for certain federally or constitutionally exempt income. It specifies that taxpayers may deduct amounts included in income that Oklahoma is prohibited from taxing due to federal or state law restrictions. This technical update affects all Oklahoma taxpayers (individuals and corporations) who have income subject to federal or constitutional exemptions. The bill does not create new tax exemptions but refines the existing adjustment process described in Section 2358 of the tax code.

Maddy summarySB 511 amends Oklahoma's lien law to clarify what constitutes "failure to comply" when businesses claim liens for services like storage, towing, or repairs on personal property. It adds specific exceptions, stating that minor clerical errors or ownership changes during possession won’t invalidate a lien if core requirements are met. This directly affects towing companies, storage facilities, and similar businesses that place liens on vehicles or equipment. The bill ensures these businesses can still enforce liens by requiring timely owner notifications and documentation, while exempting minor administrative issues from causing lien denial.

Maddy summarySB 499 amends Oklahoma's Religious Freedom Act to automatically classify government closures of places of worship (including 501(c)(3) religious organizations) during emergencies as "substantial burdens" on religious practice. It prohibits governments from treating religious institutions more strictly than comparable private businesses during health or security restrictions, and bans excluding religious groups from government programs solely due to their religious identity. The bill also requires that access to religious facilities not be restricted more than for non-religious entities facing similar conditions. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 15 amends Oklahoma's firearms laws to clarify when pointing a firearm is permitted without legal penalty. It removes administrative penalties and license revocation for licensed owners who point firearms in self-defense or while defending property (e.g., homes, businesses). The bill expands exceptions to include defensive firearm displays during performances, rodeos, or film productions, and explicitly states that pointing for "whimsy, humor, or prank" remains prohibited. These changes update Sections 1279, 1280, 1289.16, and 1289.25 of the Oklahoma Statutes, focusing on reducing ambiguity around permitted defensive use. The law takes effect immediately under an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 421 clarifies and expands parental rights in Oklahoma by requiring health care providers to give clear notice to parents about their rights to access medical records, consent to biometric scans or DNA testing, and direct their child's education and moral training. It lists 10 specific parental rights, including access to school records, healthcare decision-making, and notification if child abuse is suspected (with exceptions for ongoing investigations). The law applies directly to parents of minors and health care facilities, mandating written consent for certain medical procedures and records. It does not override child abuse reporting laws or prohibit lawful child welfare actions by courts or agencies.

Maddy summarySB 319 creates a pilot program to move cosmetology and barbering license applications and renewals online. It establishes the "State Board of Cosmetology and Barbering Online Licensing Pilot Program" within Service Oklahoma, requiring the cosmetology/barbering board to use a web-based platform for these processes. Service Oklahoma will select and host the platform per state purchasing rules, but the board retains full authority over licensing standards, exams, and discipline. The program is temporary (a pilot) and effective November 1, 2025, with potential future expansion to other licensed professions.