Sen. Ally Seifried

Maddy summarySB 387 updates the definition of "eligible student" for Oklahoma's STEM Intern Partnership Program, expanding eligibility to include students enrolled in technology center schools under the State Board of Career and Technology Education - previously limited to university students. This change directly affects tech center students and organizations seeking to hire them for industry internships through the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). The bill requires applicant organizations to secure 50% non-state funding for projects and ensures internships provide real-world tech experience with measurable outcomes. It becomes effective November 1, 2025, after passing the legislature and receiving gubernatorial approval in May 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 establishes mandatory training requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma. It requires pharmacy technicians to complete two phases of training: Phase I before receiving a permit, and Phase II within 90 days of permit issuance. Pharmacy managers must develop, document, and verify all training, with failure to complete Phase II voiding the permit. The law directly affects pharmacy technicians seeking permits, their employers (pharmacy managers), and the Oklahoma Pharmacy Board, which oversees compliance. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 794 directs the Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability to establish new student teaching requirements for teacher candidates in accredited educator preparation programs. These requirements must include either a minimum number of weeks of field experience or completion of a qualified job-embedded, competency-based teacher registered apprenticeship program. The bill defines a "teacher registered apprenticeship program" as one combining on-the-job training with academic instruction. The Commission is also tasked with creating rules to implement these new provisions. This bill primarily affects individuals seeking to become teachers in the state.

Maddy summaryHB 1585 establishes new training requirements for pharmacy technicians in Oklahoma, directly affecting pharmacy managers, pharmacists, and technician applicants. It mandates that pharmacy managers develop and implement a two-phase training program for technicians, aligning with Board-approved guidelines. Applicants must complete Phase I before applying for a permit and Phase II within 90 days of permit issuance; failure to complete Phase II automatically voids the permit. The bill also requires pharmacy managers to ensure annual continuing on-the-job training for technicians, with all training documentation maintained for Board inspection. This act will become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 387 modifies the definition of "eligible student" for Oklahoma's STEM internship program, expanding eligibility to include students enrolled in technology centers or pursuing STEM degrees (like computer science, engineering, or data analytics) at higher education institutions. The bill creates the "Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology Intern Partnership for STEM Workforce Pipeline Program," which provides competitive grants to organizations hosting STEM interns. To qualify, organizations must secure at least 50% non-state funding for projects with commercial potential, demonstrate job creation in Oklahoma, and align with innovation-focused work. The program will be administered by the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 139 requires Oklahoma public school districts to adopt policies banning student cell phone use during instructional hours ("bell to bell," meaning from the start to end of school day). The policy must include disciplinary steps for violations but allows exceptions for emergencies and health monitoring. The bill also creates a $2 million grant program to help middle and high schools purchase phone storage devices, with funds awarded on a first-come basis. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2017 updates Oklahoma's anti-bullying and online harassment laws to better protect students. It adds "aiding suicide" as a criminal offense (Section 1) and expands definitions of electronic harassment to include threatening online communications directed at specific individuals (Section 2), with misdemeanor penalties for first offenses and felony for repeat violations. The bill also modifies school safety policies under the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act (Section 3), requiring schools to update anti-bullying policies annually, report incidents to parents within 24 hours, and prohibit retaliation against staff who report incidents. These changes directly affect students, schools, and online platforms by strengthening legal consequences for targeted online harassment and improving school response protocols.

Maddy summaryHB 2017 amends Oklahoma laws related to bullying, aiding suicide, and computer crimes, affecting individuals who use electronic devices and school communities. It expands the definition of unlawful electronic harassment to include directing obscene content, making threats, causing fear, and repeated unwanted communications, including those on social media, with penalties ranging from misdemeanor to felony. The bill also makes it a crime to willfully use a computer or electronic device to harass, abuse, threaten, or put another person in fear of physical harm or death. Furthermore, it modifies the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act, requiring updated control measures, specific investigation procedures, parent notification, and anti-retaliation policies for school employees.

Maddy summaryHB 2751 proposes setback requirements for wind energy towers in Oklahoma counties with specific population density (>8.5 people/sq mile) or low wind speed (<9.5 mph). It requires towers to be placed at least 2.5 times their tip height or 1/4 mile from nearby properties, whichever is greater, and allows counties to vote to waive this requirement via referendum every five years. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission must maintain a public database tracking which counties have active setback rules. The bill failed in the Energy Committee on April 24, 2025, and remains pending. This would directly affect property owners and wind energy developers in designated counties.

Maddy summaryHB 2751 establishes new setback requirements for industrial wind turbine towers in "affected counties," defined by specific population density or average wind speed criteria. In these counties, new wind turbine towers must be located at least two and a half times their tip height or one-quarter mile, whichever is greater, from existing buildings or homes. Property owners can waive this setback distance for their property. The bill also allows qualified voters in a county to modify or eliminate these setback limitations through a local referendum, and requires the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to maintain a public database of each county's setback status.