Sen. Jerry Alvord

Maddy summarySB 1422 requires Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to adopt policies permitting voluntary prayer and Bible or religious text reading during school days. Schools must obtain signed parental or employee consent forms that include a waiver of legal claims related to religious freedom, prohibit using public address systems for these activities, and ensure the practice doesn’t replace instructional time. Parents or employees can revoke consent at any time, and the state Attorney General must provide legal support to schools implementing the policy. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to all public schools and charter schools in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 2080 requires cities and towns in Oklahoma counties with 450,000+ residents (per the latest census) to electronically send weekly copies of all issued building permits to the county assessor. This applies to entities like municipal clerks or officials authorized to issue permits. The bill mandates this notification to improve data sharing for tax assessment purposes, as part of broader updates to local government administration laws. It does not change how permits are issued but adds a weekly reporting requirement for large-county jurisdictions.

Maddy summarySB 1220 designates the interchange of Interstate 35 and Blue Bell Road in Springer, Carter County, as the "Terry Walker Memorial Interchange." The bill requires the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to install permanent markers bearing this name at the interchange. This is a procedural designation with no substantive policy changes, effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1276 amends Oklahoma's Weigh Station Act to expand the Corporation Commission's role in enforcing commercial vehicle regulations. It requires the Commission to operate all weigh stations 18-20 hours daily (when funds allow), sets specific enforcement radii around stations (7 miles for standard stations, 25 miles for ports of entry), and mandates North American Standard inspections be conducted only by certified personnel. The bill directly affects trucking companies and commercial motor vehicle operators by standardizing inspection locations and certification. It also authorizes joint enforcement with highway patrols and sheriffs, while requiring the Commission to minimize duplicate inspections for compliant carriers.

Maddy summarySB 1495, the "Age-Appropriate Materials Act," prohibits Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools from making available to students any materials containing obscene material, sexual conduct, sexually explicit content, nudity, or content harmful to minors. Schools must remove such materials by March 1, 2027, conduct annual audits by August 15 each year, and maintain public inventories of library resources starting September 8, 2027. The bill requires school boards to adopt compliance policies and directs the State Board of Education to develop library standards banning prohibited content in all school library materials, including digital resources and classroom collections. These standards must ensure materials are removed based on content - not viewpoint - and require public access to library catalogs. The law directly affects all Oklahoma public schools' library and classroom resources.

Maddy summaryHB 3547, the Parent Data Sovereignty Act of 2026, gives parents legal control over their minor children's personally identifiable educational data collected by Oklahoma schools and state education agencies. It prohibits schools and contractors from selling, licensing, or using student data for commercial purposes without parental consent, requires schools to provide parents with full access to their child's data and opt-out options for non-essential data collection, and mandates a public Data Transparency Portal listing all collected data elements and sharing agreements. The bill also requires contractors handling student data to follow strict security protocols and face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation for unauthorized data use or disclosure. These provisions directly affect parents of K-12 students and all public schools or vendors collecting student data in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 1416, the THRIVE Act, requires all Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools to implement a mandatory character education program focused on 15 specific traits like honesty, respect, responsibility, and "sexual abstinence outside of marriage" as part of their curriculum. The State Department of Education must develop an approved list of research-based materials and resources by the 2026-2027 school year, excluding any content contradicting these traits. Parents may opt their children out of the program via written notice, and schools must publicly share implementation details and opt-out procedures. The bill directly affects every K-12 student and school in Oklahoma, mandating a standardized character education framework aligned with state curriculum standards.

Maddy summarySB 1039 modifies Oklahoma's medical marijuana licensing system. It establishes a new Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to process applications, sets a $100 biannual fee (or $20 for Medicaid/Medicare/SoonerCare users) for patient licenses, and creates three license types: standard two-year licenses, 60-day short-term licenses for patients with limited physician recommendations, and 30-day temporary licenses for out-of-state patients from regulated states. The bill requires the Authority to review applications within 14 business days and provide written denial reasons, while also creating caregiver licenses for homebound patients with specific limits. This law directly affects Oklahoma residents seeking medical marijuana access, out-of-state visitors with valid programs, and caregivers.

Maddy summarySB 1039 establishes the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to manage licensing for medical marijuana patients and caregivers. It sets clear possession limits (e.g., 3 ounces on person, 6 mature plants), creates three license types (standard 2-year, 60-day short-term, 30-day temporary for out-of-state patients), and sets fees ($100 standard, $20 for Medicaid/Medicare/SoonerCare recipients). The bill requires applicants to prove Oklahoma residency, mandates the Authority to review applications within 14 business days, and prohibits denials except for incomplete applications or failure to meet criteria. This directly affects Oklahoma residents seeking medical marijuana licenses, caregivers, and out-of-state patients with valid programs.

Maddy summaryHB 1216 amends Oklahoma law to strengthen the Construction Industries Board's regulatory authority over licensed contractors in plumbing, electrical, roofing, and mechanical trades, as well as building inspectors and home inspectors. The bill establishes a fivefold penalty for second or subsequent violations of licensing rules, requires Board review of all fines within 90 days, and mandates annual financial reporting audited by the State Auditor. It directly affects licensed professionals and businesses in these trades by standardizing enforcement and fines, while excluding public utilities and similar entities from these regulations. The law also clarifies the Board's power to investigate violations, subpoena records, and handle appeals under existing administrative procedures. This bill became effective after being passed with veto overridden (93-0) in the Oklahoma Legislature.