Sen. Jerry Alvord

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2798 modifies the reporting requirements for suspected child abuse and neglect in Oklahoma. It mandates the Department of Human Services (DHS) to establish a centralized hotline with specific training, tracking, and recording standards. The bill requires school employees to report suspected abuse of students to DHS and law enforcement, and healthcare professionals to report infants testing positive for alcohol or drugs. It also establishes criminal penalties for individuals who knowingly fail to report suspected abuse or make false reports, while protecting good-faith reporters from employer retaliation.

Maddy summarySB 1028 modifies Oklahoma's notary public regulations by requiring a national criminal history check for all applicants and renewals, conducted electronically by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. It increases application fees to $50 (from $25), renewal fees to $45 (from $20), and adds a $50 "same day filing" fee, while raising the required bond amount from $1,000 to $10,000. These changes apply to all current and new notaries in Oklahoma, effective January 1, 2026. The bill mandates these updates to enhance background checks and financial accountability for notarial services.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1028 updates the requirements for notaries public in Oklahoma. It mandates a national criminal history record check for all applicants, including those renewing a commission, and specifies that a felony conviction will prevent or remove an individual from serving as a notary. The bill also increases several fees, such as the initial application fee, renewal fee, and same-day filing service fee. Additionally, it raises the required bond for notaries from $1,000 to $10,000 and increases the bond filing fee. These changes will become effective on January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2736 updates Oklahoma's requirements for Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensure. It mandates that applicants complete at least 120 semester hours of college education (including 24 hours in advanced accounting courses with at least one in auditing) and pass a national criminal history check, with costs paid by the applicant. The bill also specifies that applicants must demonstrate "good character" by having no felony convictions. These provisions apply directly to individuals seeking CPA certification in Oklahoma and take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 516 modifies Oklahoma's Roofing Contractor Registration Act to improve complaint handling and update public access to registration records. It requires registrars to log complaint dates, notify contractors within 5 days, and provide a 10-day response window for contractors - after which complaints may be forwarded to district attorneys. The bill also modernizes the online verification system to show complaint status, contractor responses, court outcomes, and relevant criminal convictions, while clarifying that public access does not endorse contractors. These changes directly affect roofing contractors, enforcement officials, and homeowners who rely on registration verification.

Maddy summaryHB 2736 updates the requirements for individuals seeking to become Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Oklahoma. The bill mandates a national criminal history record check for both exam qualification and initial certificate issuance, with applicants bearing the cost, and defines "good character" for certification. It also specifies that, beginning November 1, 2025, exam applicants must have a baccalaureate degree with at least 120 semester hours, including a defined accounting concentration. The bill further clarifies the existing requirements of 150 semester hours of college education, one year of experience, and successful completion of an ethics examination for initial CPA certification.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 516 modifies Oklahoma's Roofing Contractor Registration Act, directly affecting registered roofing contractors and the Construction Industries Board. The bill updates the registrar's duties, requiring them to record the date complaints are received, process them, and notify the contractor within five days. It also mandates that the registrar's online direct access system be modernized to include notations of complaints, contractor responses, court dispositions, and any convictions for violations of the act or other criminal offenses. These changes aim to enhance the transparency and record-keeping related to roofing contractor conduct and registration status.

Maddy summaryHB 2082 repeals Section 504 of Oklahoma Statutes Title 69 (relating to streets, roads, and state-owned parking lots). This procedural bill removes an existing legal provision without creating new requirements or affecting specific groups. It becomes effective on July 1, 2025, following its enactment without the Governor's signature on May 13, 2025. The bill directly affects the codified law governing state transportation infrastructure management by eliminating the repealed section.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2082 is an Oklahoma transportation bill that repeals Section 504 of Title 69 of the Oklahoma Statutes. This specific section of law pertains to streets, roads, and state-owned parking lots. The bill's repeal effectively removes the existing legal provisions outlined in that section, thereby altering the regulations for these transportation areas. It includes an emergency clause, making it effective immediately upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 2215 removes Oklahoma's authority for law enforcement to seize license plates when a driver lacks insurance verification. Instead, officers must issue citations and verify insurance compliance through an online system, eliminating the previous requirement to seize plates or tow vehicles. The bill also eliminates the $125 administrative fee drivers previously had to pay to retrieve seized plates. This change, effective May 12, 2025, directly affects drivers cited for insurance violations by streamlining verification and removing plate seizure as a penalty.