Sen. Bill Coleman

Maddy summaryHB 1847 requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services and State Fire Marshal to create guidelines allowing family and large child care homes to follow the International Fire Code for fire safety. It prohibits local governments, counties, or agencies from imposing stricter fire safety rules than the International Fire Code on these facilities. Child care homes meeting the International Fire Code requirements cannot be denied a license to operate. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, standardizing fire safety compliance for child care providers statewide.

Maddy summarySB 774 requires Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Authority to issue licenses with a unique 24-character identification number and a PDF417 barcode for verification. This applies directly to medical marijuana patients, caregivers, and license holders who must display these identifiers. The bill mandates that the Authority make this verification system available online and via phone, ensuring licenses can be easily checked for authenticity. It does not change possession limits, fees, or application rules - only adds the barcode and ID number requirement for license validation.

Maddy summarySB 774 modifies the identification requirements for state-issued medical marijuana patient licenses in Oklahoma. The bill changes the unique identification number on these licenses from twenty-four characters to twelve characters. It also mandates that medical marijuana patient licenses include a PDF417 barcode. These changes affect individuals holding medical marijuana licenses and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, which is responsible for issuing and verifying them.

Maddy summaryHB 1847 directs the Department of Human Services to collaborate with the State Fire Marshal to develop fire protection guidelines for family and large child care homes. These guidelines will allow these facilities to operate under the requirements of the International Fire Code. The bill specifies that child care homes complying with the International Fire Code cannot be denied a license based on fire requirements. Additionally, no state or local government entity may impose stricter fire regulations on these child care homes than those outlined in the International Fire Code.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 911 modifies Oklahoma's Employment Security Act of 1980, impacting how unemployment compensation is funded. The bill decreases the percentages used to calculate taxable wages for employers based on the Unemployment Compensation Fund's financial health. It also introduces a new table for determining employer contribution rates and raises the minimum balance required for the Unemployment Compensation Fund. These changes update the formulas and thresholds related to unemployment insurance contributions and fund management.

Maddy summarySB 924 amends Oklahoma's Employment Security Act of 1980 to update procedures for unemployment claims. It modifies definitions (including clarifying "digital portal filing" and "electronic e-filing"), allows the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission to adjust appeal filing requirements, and updates rules for dismissing cases due to missing information or confidentiality. These changes directly affect claimants applying for unemployment benefits, employers, and the Commission. The bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 10, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 522 creates an Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Executive Advisory Council with six appointed members representing diverse stakeholders, including patients, business owners, and rural/urban communities. The bill requires this Council to establish a task force to research and recommend purchase and possession limits for medical marijuana patients, consulting with physicians, patient groups, veterans, and industry stakeholders. The task force must submit a final report by November 1, 2026, while the Council must issue annual reports to state leadership by November 1 each year. The bill focuses on gathering stakeholder input through structured research rather than changing existing medical marijuana laws. (Note: The bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 9, 2025.)

Maddy summaryHB 1413 amends Oklahoma law to treat certain pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations as formal convictions for sentencing in domestic violence cases. This change directly affects individuals who commit stalking offenses and later face domestic violence charges, as prior stalking pleas or findings will now count as prior convictions. The bill modifies sentencing provisions under Oklahoma Statutes Title 21, Section 1173, ensuring that stalking-related convictions impact sentencing severity for subsequent domestic violence offenses. This policy change standardizes how stalking history is considered in domestic violence sentencing without altering the underlying stalking penalties.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1413 amends Oklahoma law concerning stalking offenses. It clarifies that specific pleas or findings of guilt for stalking violations will be counted as convictions for sentencing purposes. The bill outlines different felony levels for stalking, with increased penalties for repeat offenses, violations of protective orders, or prior violent crime convictions against the same victim. It also provides detailed definitions for what constitutes "harassment" and a "course of conduct" in stalking cases, covering various forms of unwanted contact.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 522 amends the law governing the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Executive Advisory Council. It directs this Council to establish a task force specifically to research and recommend changes to medical marijuana purchase and possession limits for licensed patients. This task force is required to consult with various professionals and stakeholders, including physicians, medical boards, patients, veterans, and business owners. The task force must submit a final report of its findings and recommendations to the Authority by November 1, 2026.