Sen. Todd Gollihare

Maddy summarySB 83 amends Oklahoma law governing inmate trust funds for prisoners working in prison industries or the Construction Division. It requires that at least 20% of most inmates' wages be placed in a mandatory savings account (exempt for life-sentence inmates), with funds payable upon release. The bill specifies that interest from these accounts goes to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, not inmates, and establishes rules for accessing funds (e.g., transfers between accounts limited to once every 90 days). This directly affects incarcerated Oklahomans earning wages through prison work programs.

Maddy summarySB 83 amends Oklahoma law governing inmate trust funds, directly affecting incarcerated individuals in state prisons. It mandates that 20% of an inmate’s wages be placed in a mandatory savings account payable upon release (excluding life sentences), with interest from these accounts directed to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund. The bill establishes new rules for interest-bearing accounts, including requiring Department staff approval for fund transfers between accounts and limiting transfers to once every 90 days. It also clarifies procedures for managing inmate wages, savings, and interest, while removing outdated statutory language.

Maddy summarySB 541 requires offenders convicted of 22 specific serious crimes - including murder, rape, child abuse, human trafficking, and domestic violence with weapons - to serve at least 85% of their prison sentence before becoming eligible for parole. The bill also strengthens penalties for domestic violence, increasing sentences for assaults involving deadly weapons (up to life imprisonment) and adding harsher penalties for domestic abuse causing miscarriage or injury to a pregnant victim (minimum 10-20 years). It directly affects individuals convicted of these offenses in Oklahoma, removing parole eligibility for the first 85% of their sentence. The law, effective May 12, 2025, modifies existing statutes to mandate these sentencing requirements without allowing earned credits to reduce the required service period.

Maddy summarySB 981, now law in Oklahoma, expands circumstances where a judge may deny bail to defendants charged with specific offenses. It allows bail denial for violent offenses, crimes carrying life sentences, repeat felony offenders (two or more separate felonies), certain drug offenses (with 10+ year potential sentences), and DUI with two prior felony DUI convictions. The bill requires that for most cases, the state must prove guilt is "evident" or the presumption "great" and that no release conditions would ensure community safety. The law took effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 56 requires the Oklahoma Health Care Authority to create a program that reimburses family caregivers for providing home care services. This directly affects family members who care for relatives with medical needs at home, such as elderly or disabled individuals. The bill establishes a specific reimbursement mechanism through the Authority, directing them to implement the program immediately as an emergency measure. It became law on May 12, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 clarifies and updates rules for Oklahoma's Firefighters Pension and Retirement System. It specifically defines key terms like "member" (including fire chiefs meeting eligibility requirements) and "credited service," while allowing volunteer firefighters to purchase military service credit toward their retirement benefits. The bill modifies how military service credit is calculated and adds limitations on its use, and it clarifies contribution rules and death benefits. These changes directly affect active and retired Oklahoma firefighters participating in the system.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 updates Oklahoma's Firefighters Pension and Retirement System rules for active and retired firefighters. It modifies death benefit calculations, clarifies when members can get refunded contributions, and adds options for repaying contributions through amortized payments. The bill also restricts purchasing military service credit and credited service, requires payment before benefits start, and allows volunteer firefighters to buy military credit under new rules. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma firefighters enrolled in the system and the State Board that administers it.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 541 updates Oklahoma's laws related to crimes and punishments, specifically modifying provisions for assault and battery offenses. It expands the list of crimes for which individuals must serve at least 85% of their sentence, including certain assault and battery offenses as defined in Section 644. The bill also redefines and creates new categories for domestic abuse, establishing specific penalties for offenses involving a dangerous or deadly weapon. Additionally, it introduces new offenses and stricter penalties for domestic abuse committed against pregnant women or resulting in great bodily injury. These changes aim to modify sentencing requirements and define specific forms of assault and battery.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 981 amends Oklahoma's existing law regarding bail, expanding the circumstances under which bail may be denied for individuals arrested for criminal offenses. It authorizes the denial of bail for categories such as violent offenses, crimes potentially punishable by life imprisonment, individuals with two or more prior felony convictions, certain controlled dangerous substance offenses, and repeat felony DUI offenses. For these offenses, bail may be denied if the proof of guilt is evident and no condition of release would assure community safety. The bill also establishes rebuttable presumptions against release for specific violent or domestic abuse-related crimes, particularly if a new violent crime is committed while out on bond. Courts are also required to assess prior patterns of abuse in domestic abuse or violent crime cases when setting bail.

Maddy summarySB 56 directs Oklahoma's Health Care Authority to create a program reimbursing family caregivers for providing home care services to Medicaid-eligible individuals under age 21 who qualify for private duty nursing. Family caregivers must pass background checks, work under a Registered Nurse's supervision, and be coordinated through a licensed home care agency. The program establishes reimbursement rates for these services and requires the Authority to seek federal approval for Medicaid funding. It amends existing definitions in Oklahoma's Home Care Act to clarify terms like "family member" and "home care agency." The bill takes effect immediately as an emergency measure.