Sen. Mary Boren

Maddy summarySB 725 requires Oklahoma's Governor's Council for Workforce and Economic Development to prepare and distribute an annual report on employment outcomes related to state workforce development programs and tax incentives. The report must include data on the number of Oklahomans hired by businesses using these programs, along with their full-time, part-time, and temporary employment status. This bill directly affects the Council (which must produce the report), state agencies providing workforce data, and businesses receiving workforce development incentives. The Council must compile this information from state agencies and stakeholders as part of its existing duties under federal law. The bill focuses on gathering concrete employment data to inform policy, without creating new programs or altering existing funding.

Maddy summarySB 816 creates two new Oklahoma income tax credits. Employers can claim a credit equal to 30% of costs for employee child care (including facility operations or building on-site), capped at $30,000 per year. Qualified child care workers (meeting specific employment and training requirements) receive a $1,000 refundable credit (meaning they can get cash back if the credit exceeds their tax bill). The bill limits total annual credits to $5 million for employer credits and $14 million overall, with adjustments based on prior-year claims. It applies to tax years 2026-2030 and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 618 requires Oklahoma public utilities to create an energy alert system to communicate with county and municipal governments. The system must alert local governments about potential power outages, requests for reduced energy use during high-demand periods, and other grid stability issues. This applies to all utilities defined under Oklahoma law and takes effect on November 1, 2025. The bill mandates direct communication channels between utilities and local governments to improve coordination during energy emergencies.

Maddy summarySB 934 amends Oklahoma law to address firearm access by minors, directly affecting parents, guardians, and firearm owners. It creates a new "criminal negligence" standard for owners who fail to secure firearms, making it unlawful if a minor gains access and causes injury (Section 1273D). Key provisions include specific defenses (e.g., locked storage, supervised hunting) and expand civil liability for damages caused by minors' firearm use, allowing victims to seek compensation under Section 10 of Title 23. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 619 requires large industrial facilities in Oklahoma that exceed specific energy usage thresholds (75 kWh/sq ft/year electricity or 70,000 BTU/sq ft/year thermal energy) to submit biennial efficiency plans to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. These plans must propose energy-saving technology investments and include methods to offset up to 50% of annual energy use through on-site production. All submitted plans will be published on a public website. The law becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 525 requires county election boards to provide approved training to county sheriffs and law enforcement officers on securing election materials and processes. This directly affects county election boards and local law enforcement agencies, mandating specific training to protect ballots, voter records, and election equipment. The key provision (Section C.3) specifies that training must cover securing elections per state law and ballots under Section 14-115.4, with approval from the Secretary of the State Election Board. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not create new funding or change voting procedures.

Maddy summarySB 163 amends Oklahoma's child custody law to clarify requirements for joint custody arrangements. It requires parents seeking joint custody to submit detailed written plans covering living arrangements, child support, medical care, school placement, and visitation, accompanied by signed affidavits agreeing to the plan. The bill also adds a key provision creating a legal presumption that joint custody with a parent who committed child abuse, domestic violence, or coercive control is harmful to the child, shifting the burden to prove it's safe. This directly affects parents involved in custody disputes, especially in cases involving abuse allegations. The court must approve all joint custody plans based on the child's best interests, with modifications requiring court approval.

Maddy summarySB 101 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma residents paying rent or mortgage on their primary home within the state. It directly affects low-to-moderate income households, with credit amounts ranging from $1,000 to $7,000 based on household income (capped at 80% of Oklahoma's median income) and the number of dependents. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers receive a refund if the credit exceeds their tax liability. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and limits the credit to one residence per tax year.

Maddy summarySB 342 creates an Oklahoma income tax credit for individual taxpayers who commute to work. It applies to employees living at their primary residence and working at the same workplace for the entire tax year, with a minimum commute of 2 miles each way. The credit equals 240 multiplied by daily commute miles (capped at 40 miles) and the IRS standard mileage rate for that year, refunding any excess over the tax owed. The credit is claimed using a state form and applies to tax years starting in 2026.

Maddy summarySB 454 updates Oklahoma's school grading system for the Oklahoma School Testing Program by revising letter grade definitions (e.g., "A" for "excellent progress," "F" for "failing to make adequate progress") and requiring schools to include new accountability measures. The bill removes the option for virtual charter schools to use a separate grading system, mandating they follow the same standards as traditional schools. It also adds requirements for schools to include specific strategies supporting learning outside school (like parent engagement and technology training) and improving school-based social services (such as counseling, health care, and food support) based on parent feedback and community partnerships.