Sen. Bill Coleman

Maddy summaryHB 2837 requires employees of Oklahoma medical marijuana businesses to obtain a credential starting January 1, 2024. To qualify, employees must complete an educational training course covering state laws, patient privacy, and safe handling/storage of medical marijuana, and pass a background check conducted by a third-party vendor contracted by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Employees must submit proof of training completion as part of their credential application. Starting January 1, 2026, employees must complete annual training to maintain their credential, with the Authority overseeing applications and renewals.

Maddy summaryHB 2803 amends Oklahoma's rules for terminating beer distributor agreements, affecting brewers and beer distributors. It requires brewers to provide 60 days for distributors to fix issues (like noncompliance) before termination and list specific immediate termination reasons (e.g., non-payment, felony convictions, or license revocation). After termination, distributors get 120 days to sell brand rights, and new distributors must pay fair market value for lost rights and buy remaining inventory at actual cost. The law applies to all beer distributors in Oklahoma and became effective without the governor's signature on May 25, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2110 creates a 20% rebate program for film production companies that shoot live-audience sitcoms in Oklahoma, targeting a niche in the industry to compete with Canada. It directly affects production companies filming "live audience episodic television" (series filmed before a minimum of 50 people), providing rebates on qualified local spending like crew wages, equipment rentals, and production costs. Key provisions include a 25% cap on "above-the-line" personnel costs (e.g., directors, writers), requirements for safety training for apprentices, and minimum facility size standards for soundstages. The rebate applies to expenditures made after July 1, 2025, and aims to attract production by lowering costs for this specific type of television.

Maddy summaryHB 2807 creates a new "medical marijuana transporter license" category for Oklahoma businesses, allowing licensed medical marijuana growers, processors, dispensaries, research facilities, and testing labs to transport products. It requires transporters to use a state tracking system for all shipments, maintain secure GPS-equipped vehicles with labeled containers, and obtain annual permits for warehouses (with no limit on permits). The law directly affects businesses handling medical marijuana products, mandating specific security measures and documentation for transportation and storage. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority administers these requirements, including issuing transporter agent licenses for employees.

Maddy summaryHB 2286 creates a new "assistant funeral director" license in Oklahoma, directly affecting funeral directors and their employees. The bill requires applicants to have at least 60 semester hours from a regionally accredited college, pass an exam, pay fees, and demonstrate good moral character (without automatic disqualification for felony convictions). It mandates that each licensed funeral director may have only one assistant, who must work under their direct supervision and complete continuing education. The license expires December 31 annually and requires renewal with fees. The bill became law on May 27, 2025, with full implementation effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2837 requires employees of Oklahoma's licensed medical marijuana businesses to complete and submit proof of educational training to obtain and maintain a work credential. Starting January 1, 2024, new employees must complete training and pass background checks to get a credential, and by January 1, 2026, all employees must complete annual training covering state laws, patient privacy, and safe handling/storage of medical marijuana. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (or a contracted third party) verifies training completion and background checks before issuing credentials. This law directly affects all medical marijuana business employees in Oklahoma and applies to both new hires and existing staff.

Maddy summaryHB 1257 prohibits roofing contractors from promising to pay insurance deductibles or compensating insureds to attract business for repairs covered by property/casualty insurance. It requires contractors to provide written notices about this rule with their initial estimates, and insurers may refuse to consider estimates from violating contractors. Anyone can file a verified complaint with the registrar, which must then be forwarded to the Insurance Department and Attorney General for investigation. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 697 establishes a new "medical marijuana transporter license" in Oklahoma, allowing specific entities - like licensed growers, processors, dispensaries, research facilities, and logistics companies - to legally transport medical marijuana products. It requires transporters to use a digital tracking system for all shipments, store products in secure facilities, and follow strict vehicle safety rules (including GPS tracking, locked containers, and driver-inaccessible storage). The bill also creates a separate "transporter agent" license for employees, requiring background checks and a $25 annual fee. These changes directly affect medical marijuana businesses, transporters, and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, which will enforce the new rules. The bill aims to standardize and regulate transportation logistics within the state’s medical marijuana system.

Maddy summarySB 697 establishes a new "medical marijuana transporter license" category in Oklahoma for businesses moving medical marijuana products between facilities. It requires licensees to use a seed-to-sale tracking system, transport products in GPS-equipped locked containers labeled "Medical Marijuana," and maintain secure storage facilities. The bill also creates a $25 annual "transporter agent" license for employees handling shipments, with requirements including background checks and state residency verification. This directly affects medical marijuana businesses, research facilities, and logistics providers needing to transport products within the state.

Maddy summarySB 911 lowers unemployment tax rates for Oklahoma employers under specific conditions by decreasing the percentage rates applied to taxable wages. For example, the rate for employers in condition "a" drops from 42.5% to 41.25%, and similar reductions apply across other conditions. The bill updates the experience rate table that determines employer tax rates based on their claims history and removes outdated formulas for benefit wage ratio increases. It also raises the minimum balance required for the unemployment fund to ensure financial stability. These changes directly affect businesses paying unemployment taxes in Oklahoma.