Sen. Lisa Standridge

Maddy summarySB 1001 prohibits public utilities that are the sole provider in their service area from including advertising expenses in their operating costs when calculating customer rates. The bill defines "advertising" broadly but excludes specific communications, such as energy conservation information, billing inserts, appliance efficiency promotions, and required safety notices. These excluded items can still be included in rate calculations without restriction. The law takes effect on November 1, 2025, directly affecting electric, gas, and telecommunications utilities operating as sole providers in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 963 sets a $2.71 billion debt ceiling for the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's revenue bonds, replacing previous borrowing limits. The bill requires all bond proceeds to fund turnpike projects exclusively, with any surplus deposited into a sinking fund. It updates Section 1709 of Oklahoma law to clarify bond issuance rules, including interest rates, maturity terms, and repayment mechanisms. This directly affects the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's ability to finance new turnpike construction or improvements within the established spending limit.

Maddy summarySB 845 prohibits Oklahoma public universities from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring DEI statements for hiring or admissions, or mandating DEI training based on race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. It mandates that governing boards certify compliance with these restrictions before receiving state funds for the 2026 fiscal year and requires annual testimony to legislative committees about compliance. Universities must also adopt disciplinary procedures for employees violating these rules, and the State Auditor must conduct audits to ensure funds aren’t misused. The bill explicitly exempts academic instruction, research, student organizations, and efforts supporting underserved students without racial criteria.

Maddy summarySB 493 updates the legal description of existing Oklahoma Turnpike Authority routes by amending Section 1705 of state law. It corrects statutory references and clarifies the authorized locations for current turnpikes, including routes like the Turner Turnpike between Oklahoma City and Tulsa and the Muskogee Turnpike extension. The bill does not authorize new turnpikes or change toll policies - it only updates the official legal language describing where existing turnpike infrastructure operates. This adjustment ensures the statute aligns with current infrastructure planning and avoids ambiguity in route descriptions. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority and affected drivers using these specific corridors are directly impacted by this technical correction.

Maddy summarySB 969 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority to compensate property owners for damages caused by turnpike projects, such as reduced property value or blocked access. Property owners bordering turnpike projects can request the Authority to purchase their land within 1,000 feet of the project boundary at fair market value, including relocation costs. The Authority must notify affected owners in writing when acquiring land, giving them 20 days to request compensation or purchase. If disputes arise, the Authority must negotiate for 180 days, and property owners may recover legal fees if a court award exceeds the Authority’s last offer by 10% or more.

Maddy summarySB 964 requires the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority (OTA) to get legislative approval before raising toll rates on state turnpikes. The bill removes the OTA’s existing authority to independently revise toll rates and instead mandates that any increase must be approved by a joint resolution of the Oklahoma Legislature. This directly affects the OTA, which must now seek legislative consent for toll changes, and impacts all drivers using Oklahoma turnpikes who pay tolls. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 846, the "Stop DEI Act," prohibits Oklahoma public colleges and universities from requiring, soliciting, or incentivizing participation in courses or content related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and critical race theory (DEI-CRT). It defines DEI-CRT content as materials discussing topics like systemic racism, racial bias, or gender-based equity in course requirements. Institutions must report alleged violations to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, which can deny funding to schools found in violation. The law exempts programs explicitly focused on racial, ethnic, or gender studies (e.g., "African American Studies") if they remain optional and don’t count toward general degree requirements.

Maddy summarySB 257 allows Oklahoma Medicaid to reimburse out-of-state laboratories for specific diagnostic tests when no licensed Oklahoma provider offers those exact services. It amends Oklahoma law (63 O.S. 2021, § 5060) to create an exception to the general prohibition on contracting with out-of-state medical providers. The policy directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries requiring specialized lab services unavailable locally and the Oklahoma Health Care Authority, which must seek federal approval for implementation. The change becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 966 creates the Turnpike Legislative Oversight Board to oversee the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority's operations, policies, and expenditures. The Board, composed of members appointed by the Governor (for two districts), the House Speaker (for two districts), and the Senate President Pro Tempore (for two districts), will receive annual reports from the Authority and may request additional information. The bill amends existing law to require the Turnpike Authority to submit these reports and subjects its conduct to the Board's oversight. This emergency legislation takes effect immediately upon approval.

Maddy summarySB 233, the "Teacher Shortage Reduction Act," provides tuition waivers for Oklahoma high school juniors and seniors who commit to becoming public school teachers. It allows eligible students to receive a waiver covering up to 60 college credit hours (instead of the standard 9-18 credits) if they declare an intention to pursue teacher education and teach in Oklahoma public schools for three years within ten years of earning their degree. Students who fail to fulfill this teaching commitment must repay the waived tuition, though hardship exceptions may apply. The program is funded through state appropriations and requires students to submit a formal declaration to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.