Sen. Todd Gollihare

Maddy summaryHB 2628 amends Oklahoma's civil procedure law to set clearer standards for expert testimony in court. It requires the party introducing an expert (the "proponent") to prove to the court that the testimony is based on sufficient facts, uses reliable methods, and was properly applied to the case. This affects parties in civil lawsuits relying on expert witnesses, such as in medical malpractice or personal injury cases. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1245 amends Oklahoma's public retirement code to update definitions and references related to retirement benefits for state employees. It modifies how "compensation" is calculated for retirement purposes, including historical maximum salary limits (e.g., $80,000 annually for service through 1998), and clarifies terms like "Accumulated contributions" and "CLEET-certified law enforcement agents." The bill directly affects Oklahoma public employees covered under the Oklahoma Public Employees Retirement System by adjusting the legal framework used to compute monthly pension benefits. As a procedural amendment, it updates existing statutory references without creating new benefit structures or changing current retirement rules.

Maddy summarySB 1084 eliminates the $40 application fee for Oklahoma indigent defense representation and modifies eligibility rules for the Oklahoma Indigent Defense System. It creates a rebuttable presumption of eligibility when a defendant posts bail (other than personal recognizance), though income above the poverty threshold can rebut this presumption. The bill directly affects criminal defendants who qualify as indigent but cannot afford private attorneys. Key changes include removing the fee requirement, adjusting how courts consider bail status in eligibility determinations, and requiring courts to advise applicants about perjury before signing applications.

Maddy summarySB 503 clarifies that certified law enforcement officers in Oklahoma must assist the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and its emergency management directors when enforcing OEM rules, regulations, or orders. This bill amends Section 683.23 of Oklahoma Statutes to explicitly require certified officers to support OEM enforcement efforts. It does not create new penalties or authority but formally integrates law enforcement assistance into OEM's enforcement framework. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies statewide to all certified law enforcement officers.

Maddy summarySB 967 requires Oklahoma courts to hold a pretrial release hearing immediately after an arrest for most charges. It mandates that defendants receive specific rights at this hearing, including the right to consult with counsel, review evidence, and present their own evidence. The bill shifts bail decisions toward non-monetary conditions (like supervision or electronic monitoring) unless the court finds no such conditions can ensure court appearance or community safety, and creates a presumption of inability to pay bond for those receiving government assistance. Additionally, it requires courts to provide defendants with written and oral notice of court dates, along with phone/text reminders the business day before hearings. This bill directly affects defendants facing pretrial detention decisions in Oklahoma courts.

Maddy summaryOklahoma Senate Bill 42 amends boating safety rules to require vessel operators to display a specific red or orange flag when a person re-enters the water after being towed, between sunrise and sunset. The flag must measure at least 12 inches by 12 inches and be visible 360 degrees around the vessel. This requirement applies to non-personal watercraft vessels and aims to improve safety awareness for swimmers or divers near boats. The bill also updates definitions for terms like "diver’s flag" and adds new rules about towing observers, mirror requirements, and nighttime lighting for personal watercraft.

Maddy summarySB 827 increases Oklahoma's cap on non-monetary damages (like pain and suffering) in bodily injury lawsuits from $350,000 to $500,000. It removes previous exceptions that allowed higher awards in certain cases, meaning most plaintiffs will now be limited to this new cap unless specific conditions are met. The bill requires courts to specify the portion of damages for non-monetary harm in verdicts and sets clear criteria - such as reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or intentional harm - for exceeding the cap. This affects plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving bodily injury, excluding government tort claims and wrongful death actions, and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 148 allows local governments (cities, towns, counties) in Oklahoma to use certain approved third-party entities for reviewing building plans, instead of always requiring the State Fire Marshal to handle these reviews. This applies to most construction projects, though the State Fire Marshal retains authority for buildings in unincorporated areas or where local permits aren't required. The bill requires the State Fire Marshal to issue permits within 90 days (or automatically approve if no response is given), and specifically excludes single-family homes, duplexes, barns, and sheds attached to homes in unincorporated areas from needing State Fire Marshal review. The changes aim to streamline the permitting process while maintaining building code compliance.

Maddy summarySB 946 updates standards for juvenile detention facilities and city/county jails in Oklahoma. It requires facilities to provide specific records to the State Department of Health, notify the health department within 24 hours when holding juveniles, and comply with revised safety and staffing standards during construction or remodeling. The bill modifies requirements for cell space, staff availability, and report submissions while prohibiting public disclosure of certain complaint details. These changes directly affect juvenile detention centers, city/county jails housing minors, and the State Department of Health oversight role. The bill also updates statutory language governing facility inspections and corrections.

Maddy summarySB 973 prohibits Oklahoma courts and state entities from contracting with private debt collectors to collect criminal fines, fees, costs, or restitution owed by individuals. This directly affects courts, state agencies handling collections, and private debt collection companies that previously managed these payments. The bill’s key provision, added to Oklahoma law, bans such contracts without altering existing court cost structures for criminal cases. It repeals related sections of law (19 O.S. §§ 514.4-514.5) that governed court cost compliance programs. The law aims to keep collection of criminal justice debts within public systems, not private contractors.