Sen. Todd Gollihare

Maddy summarySB 946 amends Oklahoma laws governing juvenile detention facilities and city/county jails to strengthen oversight and safety standards. It requires jails holding juveniles certified to stand trial as adults to notify the State Department of Health within 24 hours, and mandates that certain facility records be provided to the department. The bill modifies inspection protocols, cell requirements, staff availability, and construction compliance rules while prohibiting public disclosure of specific complaints and requiring redaction of sensitive information in reports. These changes directly affect juvenile detention facilities, city/county jails, and the State Department of Health, ensuring clearer accountability in facility operations.

Maddy summarySB 503 requires all certified law enforcement officers in Oklahoma to assist the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management (OEM) and its directors in enforcing OEM rules, regulations, and orders. This amendment to state law (63 O.S. § 683.23) specifically adds that officers must aid OEM in carrying out its emergency management duties. The bill does not create new penalties or expand OEM's authority but clarifies that certified law enforcement must support OEM enforcement efforts. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 64 exempts eligible veterans from paying tolls on Oklahoma turnpikes. To qualify, veterans must have a 100% disability, be defined as veterans under Oklahoma law, and drive a privately owned, noncommercial vehicle they own. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority must create rules to implement this exemption, which takes effect November 1, 2025. This change directly affects veterans meeting all three criteria, removing toll costs for their personal vehicle use on state turnpikes.

Maddy summarySB 42 amends Oklahoma's boating safety laws to require boaters to display a specific "diver's flag" when divers are submerged in the water. The bill defines this flag as a red flag (at least 20x24 inches) with a white diagonal stripe, to warn other vessels of underwater diving activity. This requirement directly affects recreational boaters operating near divers, particularly during activities like scuba diving or snorkeling. The law updates existing regulations under Sections 4201 and 4212 of the Oklahoma Statutes to clarify the flag's specifications and mandate its use for diver safety.

Maddy summarySB 57 amends Oklahoma's distracted driving law to prohibit using handheld electronic devices for texting, calling, or manually composing messages while driving. It reduces the maximum fine from $100 to $5 per violation, with additional court costs totaling up to $95. The bill specifies how these funds are distributed - covering court operations, prosecution costs, victim services, courthouse security, and highway safety programs. Violations will not add points to a driver's license record under this law.

Maddy summarySB 355 updates definitions in Oklahoma's Underground Facilities Damage Prevention Act to clarify what constitutes "excavation." It specifically excludes routine agricultural work (like postholes or farm ponds), routine maintenance, and work on "certified" or "permitted" projects from the law's requirements. This affects contractors, utilities, and construction crews who must notify the Oklahoma One-Call System before digging. The bill makes the law's language clearer but does not change existing obligations for most excavation work.

Maddy summarySB 148 allows Oklahoma cities, towns, and counties to use approved third-party organizations for building plan reviews instead of requiring all reviews to go through the State Fire Marshal. It requires the State Fire Marshal to establish rules for which entities can be approved for this service. The bill maintains a 90-day deadline for the State Fire Marshal to approve or deny permits, with automatic approval if no written notice is given within that timeframe. It exempts single-family homes, duplexes, barns, and similar small structures from needing State Fire Marshal review in unincorporated county areas.

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 state courts, county entities, and people convicted of crimes who owe these amounts. The bill’s key provision (Section 1) explicitly bans such contracts, replacing previous arrangements that allowed private agencies to handle collections under repealed sections of law. It does not change court cost amounts but ensures these debts are collected directly by state offices, not private firms.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the eligibility rules for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program, which provides tuition assistance to state residents attending college. The primary change expands who can qualify by allowing students who completed a core curriculum outside of traditional public or private schools to apply, provided they meet specific ACT score requirements. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the academic standards needed for admission, including grade point averages and specific course completions in languages, technology, and fine arts. The bill also maintains existing provisions for children of fallen service members and adopted students to receive financial aid based on their unique circumstances.

Maddy summaryHB 3107 introduced the Oklahoma Small Business Development Act of 2024, which was intended to establish new rules for small business development in the state. The bill did not advance to become law because it failed in a legislative conference committee during the 2024 session. As a result, no specific provisions regarding employer-employee relationships or franchise definitions were enacted.