Sen. Bill Coleman

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act to clarify exemptions for certain businesses and government-regulated activities. It updates two specific exemptions: (1) clarifying that publishers, broadcasters, and similar entities aren't subject to the law when distributing information they didn't know was unlawful, and (2) specifying that regulated transactions under government agencies (like the Corporation Commission) are exempt if done in good faith based on tax authority. The bill directly affects media companies, retailers, and businesses operating under state or federal regulatory oversight. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1044 requires all payments for alcoholic beverages between retailers (like bars or stores) and wholesalers to be made via electronic funds transfer (EFT), eliminating cash, checks, or credit cards for these transactions. It mandates that EFT payments must be processed by the next business day after delivery, with specific rules for chain retailers to track payments per location. The bill updates Oklahoma statutes (37A O.S. 2021 Sections 3-119 and 6-103) to enforce this, allowing limited exceptions only for product replacement due to breakage or cork-taint. This directly affects licensed alcohol retailers and wholesalers who must comply with the new payment method.

Maddy summarySB 1044 requires all retail stores selling beer, wine, or spirits (including mixed beverage and caterer licensees) to pay their alcohol distributors or wholesalers exclusively through electronic funds transfer (EFT) payments, replacing cash or checks for these transactions. The bill mandates that distributors initiate EFT payments within one business day of delivery, with chain retailers required to maintain detailed store-by-store records linking payments to deliveries. Limited exceptions allow cash or checks only for specific cases, such as initial purchases or small transactions under $50. This policy change directly affects retail alcohol licensees and their distributors by standardizing payment methods and improving transaction traceability. The bill amends Oklahoma’s alcohol licensing statutes to enforce this electronic payment requirement.

Maddy summarySB 436 amends Oklahoma's Consumer Protection Act to clarify that claims related to taxes (like sales tax, use tax, or mixed beverage taxes) already paid to the state are exempt from the Act. Specifically, it adds "asserted injuries or damages" involving these tax collections to an existing exemption, meaning legal disputes over such taxes cannot be pursued under consumer protection laws. This change directly affects businesses or individuals filing claims about tax-related matters, but does not alter tax collection procedures or create new exemptions. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1572 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax revenue allocation for tourism programs. It removes a previous cap on tourism funding (previously limited to $5 million annually for promotion), allows funds to be used for salaries (previously prohibited), and establishes new annual limits: $5 million for tourism promotion, $9 million for capital improvements, and $6.6 million for Route 66 projects. These changes apply to the Oklahoma Tourism Promotion Revolving Fund, Oklahoma Tourism Capital Improvement Revolving Fund, and Oklahoma Route 66 Commission Revolving Fund. The bill directly affects these tourism agencies by altering how they receive and can spend sales tax revenue.

Maddy summarySB 344 amends Oklahoma law to expand exemptions allowing retail wine and beer sellers to offer certain promotions to customers. It specifically permits discounts for veterans, active military personnel, and individuals in specific professions, as well as packaging goods with alcohol (like branded items). However, these discounts cannot drop the price below a 6% markup on the beverage alone, and prepackaged items with alcohol must not be sold at a higher price than the beverage alone. The bill directly affects businesses holding retail wine or beer licenses, such as stores and restaurants, and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 38 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax revenue allocation to provide a fixed annual amount for the Oklahoma Historical Society. It specifies that starting in fiscal year 2026, 0.06% of sales tax revenue will be directed to the Historical Society's Capital Improvement and Operations Revolving Fund, capped at $1,880,553.25 annually. This change directly affects the Historical Society's funding, replacing the previous cap based on 2015 apportionment amounts. The bill does not alter other tax revenue allocations for education, tourism, or general funds.

Maddy summarySB 38 modifies Oklahoma's sales tax revenue distribution for tourism-related funds. It directs 0.87% of sales tax revenue (starting FY 2022) to three specific revolving funds: 24% to the Tourism Promotion Fund (capped at $5 million annually), 44% to the Tourism Capital Improvement Fund (capped at $9 million), and 32% to the Route 66 Commission Fund (capped at $6.6 million). These allocations apply to each fiscal year beginning July 1, 2022, and beyond, with annual spending limits to prevent exceeding the specified caps. The bill does not affect the Oklahoma Historical Society, as referenced in the title but not in the actual provisions.

Maddy summarySB 344 amends Oklahoma's alcohol laws to allow retailers (wine and beer stores) to offer specific discounts to certain groups without violating existing "no inducements" rules. It permits discounts for individuals in specific professions and current or former U.S. military members, as long as the retail price remains at least a 6% markup above the cost (per Section 3-118). The bill also clarifies that packaging goods with alcohol or offering multiunit discounts on wine/beer does not count as prohibited inducements. This change affects retail alcohol sellers and the eligible groups receiving discounts, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 459 designates the intersection of U.S. Highway 77 and State Highway 11 in Kay County as the "Ike Glass Memorial Intersection." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers bearing this name at the location. This is a procedural memorial bill with no policy changes or direct impact on legislation or constituents beyond the physical naming of the intersection.