Sen. Mary Boren

Maddy summarySB 152 increases the sheriff's fee for serving warrants, process, or pursuing fugitives from $50 to $150 per service, whether within or outside the county (with mileage or actual expenses as alternatives). This change applies directly to defendants convicted in criminal cases, as the fee is collected as part of court costs at sentencing. The bill updates the fee structure under Oklahoma Statutes § 28-153, specifically modifying subsection A, paragraph 9, and takes effect immediately as an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 87 amends Oklahoma state law to provide paid parental leave for eligible state employees, expanding existing paid maternity leave to cover all parents, including adoptive and foster parents. The bill requires that state employees in critical services (fire protection, law enforcement, and corrections) who cannot take parental leave due to extraordinary circumstances threatening public safety continue to receive their regular pay for the unused leave. This bill updates the statutory reference for leave benefits and includes provisions for leave accrual and accumulation rates. The changes apply to state employees and take effect on the date specified in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 86 requires railroad freight trains operating in Oklahoma to have at least two certified crew members (such as engineers or conductors) aboard while moving. It directly affects railroad operators transporting freight, with exceptions for passenger trains, tourism rides, slow-moving trains (under 30 mph) with a caboose, helper service, hostler service, and very slow loading/unloading (under 10 mph). Violations carry fines starting at $250 for a first offense, increasing to $10,000 for repeat offenses within three years. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and was enacted as an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 498 requires all hearings to revoke medical marijuana licenses in Oklahoma to follow standard court procedures (Oklahoma Pleading Code) and mandates these hearings be recorded. It also requires the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to share license verification information with law enforcement electronically and provide location lists of licensed marijuana businesses to local governments. The bill adds new rules for dispensaries near schools, requiring municipalities to document violations of setback distance rules (including school visibility evidence) before denying license renewals. These changes directly affect medical marijuana businesses, local governments, and law enforcement agencies by altering licensing processes and information sharing.

Maddy summarySB 106 creates a 30% income tax credit for Oklahoma employers who pay down their employees' student loan debt. This directly affects Oklahoma employers and their employees with student loan obligations. The credit is calculated as 30% of the employer's payments toward an employee's student loans, cannot reduce tax liability below zero, and unused portions may be carried forward for up to 10 years. Employers must claim the credit using forms and documentation specified by the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

Maddy summarySB 99 reauthorizes an income tax credit for contractors building energy-efficient residential properties in Oklahoma. It provides a $4,000 credit for homes certified 40%+ above 2003 energy codes (or $2,000 for 20-39% above), directly affecting residential contractors who construct qualifying homes under 2,000 square feet. The bill updates requirements to mandate that property completion must occur in the same tax year the credit is claimed, and extends the credit’s effective period to tax year 2025 and beyond. This replaces the previous 2006-2016 timeframe and updates statutory references to reflect current requirements.

Maddy summarySB 149 requires Oklahoma district courts to offer mediation for eviction cases when both parties agree, aiming to resolve disputes before trial. It prohibits landlords from evicting tenants, raising rent, or reducing services for 180 days if the tenant reported housing issues (like bed bugs or repairs), filed a complaint with authorities, or participated in a tenantability-related legal case. Landlords who retaliate face civil liability for actual damages, up to $2,000 in punitive damages per violation, plus attorney fees. Additionally, Oklahoma municipalities with over 100,000 residents must publish online a list of code violations for rental properties, including owner names, violation dates, and penalties. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 519 prohibits Oklahoma hospitals from using debt collectors or reporting unpaid bills to credit bureaus for patients if the hospital failed to follow price transparency laws. This directly affects patients who owe money for hospital services provided while the hospital was not in compliance with public price disclosure rules. The law allows hospitals to continue billing patients normally but bans specific collection tactics like referring debts to third parties, suing, or reporting to credit agencies in these cases. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, and does not require hospitals to refund payments already made.

Maddy summarySB 343 creates a state income tax credit for Oklahoma employees who purchase required workplace safety clothing, such as steel-toed boots, helmets, or high-visibility gear. The credit covers up to $100 annually per employee for clothing mandated by their employer for safety or job performance. Any unused credit amount is refundable if it exceeds the employee’s income tax liability. The law takes effect for tax year 2026.

Maddy summarySB 314 expands paid parental leave to include employees at Oklahoma's public universities. It changes the law from "maternity leave" to "parental leave," granting full-time employees at institutions like the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University six weeks of paid leave after a child's birth or adoption. Employees receive their full salary during this leave, and their seniority, benefits, and performance evaluations remain unaffected. The bill specifically adds higher education staff to the existing state paid leave program for covered employees.