Sen. Micheal Bergstrom

Maddy summarySB 435 requires all Service Oklahoma employees (including the Executive Director) to provide written policy instructions to colleagues, clearly identifying who issued them. It mandates that any directive regarding agency policies or rules must be in writing, eliminating verbal instructions for these matters. Violations of this requirement result in a 30-day unpaid suspension for the employee who provided the directive. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 373, the Research and Education Protection Act of 2025, requires Oklahoma public schools and institutions of higher education to disclose certain gifts, contracts, or cultural exchange agreements received from foreign sources. It prohibits accepting such items without prior review by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES), mandates annual reporting of foreign-related activities, and creates civil penalties for non-disclosure. The bill establishes new disclosure forms, requires OMES to maintain a public website for transparency, and directs institutions to implement research integrity offices to screen foreign applicants and monitor travel. These provisions aim to protect educational institutions from foreign influence by requiring approval processes and transparency for all foreign-sourced financial or collaborative arrangements.

Maddy summarySB 528 prohibits Service Oklahoma from considering certain criminal background checks when processing driver license applications or renewals. This directly affects Oklahoma residents applying for or renewing driver licenses, particularly those with past criminal convictions who might have faced denial based on specific background check information. The bill amends Section 6-110 of Oklahoma law to explicitly ban the use of certain criminal history in licensing decisions, ensuring such checks cannot be used to deny eligibility. The law takes effect on a date specified in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 514 expands Oklahoma's statewide alternative education system to include designated charter and virtual schools. School districts serving grades 7-12 must offer programs meeting specific standards like individualized instruction, life skills training, and small class sizes, and may use virtual or blended learning. Designated charter and virtual schools must follow performance frameworks and attendance policies. Funding is based on student enrollment, with an additional 15% incentive for districts collaborating on alternative education services.

Maddy summarySB 437 amends Oklahoma's driver's license application rules to allow applicants to use standard birth certificates as proof of identity, while prohibiting the use of county-issued birth certificates for this purpose. The bill directly affects individuals applying for or renewing Oklahoma driver's licenses or identification cards. It updates Section 6-106 of the Oklahoma Statutes to clarify acceptable identification documents, ensuring only state-issued birth certificates meet the requirements for verifying identity during the application process. The change aims to standardize documentation procedures for Service Oklahoma, the state agency handling driver's licenses.

Maddy summarySB 220 requires Oklahoma's Service Oklahoma agency to establish agreements allowing eligible individuals with suspended or revoked licenses to obtain temporary "provisional licenses." These licenses permit driving between 6:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m., with restricted nighttime driving (12:00 a.m. to 5:59 a.m.) only for specific purposes. The bill excludes people convicted of offenses requiring mandatory license revocation (like certain DUIs) from qualifying for provisional licenses. It modifies existing license reinstatement rules but does not change fee structures or eligibility criteria beyond these provisional license provisions.

Maddy summaryOklahoma Senate Bill 348 requires school districts to adopt a policy governing instructional materials, giving district boards direct responsibility for all content used in classrooms. It mandates that schools must remove specific materials within 30 days if a parent or guardian submits a formal objection using a prescribed form. The bill also updates textbook adoption procedures, requiring review teams to consider certain factors when selecting materials and ensuring all library resources comply with the new policy. These changes apply to all public school districts in Oklahoma, directly affecting students, parents, and district administrators.

Maddy summarySB 488 prohibits Oklahoma state agencies and local governments from purchasing or acquiring drones after January 1, 2028, unless the drone is listed as approved by the Office of Homeland Security. The bill requires the Office to create and maintain a public list of approved drones by January 1, 2028, including models cleared by the U.S. Department of Defense, compliant with federal security laws, or deemed non-threatening to state security. This list must be updated every six months, and all procurement must prioritize approved models, with unapproved contracts deemed invalid. The law directly affects state departments and local governments purchasing drones for operations like surveillance or delivery.

Maddy summarySB 442 allows Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) with specific certification in Nonsurgical Pain Management to diagnose and treat chronic pain under physician supervision. CRNAs must collaborate with an allopathic or osteopathic physician who can provide immediate on-site consultation and cannot operate standalone pain clinics without physician oversight. The bill explicitly prohibits CRNAs from prescribing or dispensing opioids or other controlled substances for offsite chronic pain management. This affects CRNAs practicing pain management and facilities offering such services in Oklahoma. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1040 extends the operational deadline for Oklahoma's State Board of Examiners of Psychologists from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2026, under the state's Sunset Law. This procedural bill directly affects the board, which oversees psychologist licensing and consists of seven members (five licensed psychologists and two laypersons). The change modifies the board's termination date without altering its structure, membership requirements, or licensing rules. The extension ensures the board can continue administering psychologist licensing until 2026.