Sen. Randy Grellner

Maddy summarySB 479 dissolves the State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee, which was required to review and approve the use of funds for repairs and renovations of the Oklahoma State Capitol Building. This committee, composed of nine members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders, had oversight responsibilities for the $120 million renovation project, including approving preliminary and final plans. The bill removes this requirement, shifting oversight directly to the Office of Management and Enterprise Services. It also updates related statutory references to reflect the committee's dissolution.

Maddy summarySB 479 dissolves the State Capitol Repair Expenditure Oversight Committee, which was required to approve spending for repairs to the Oklahoma State Capitol building. This procedural change updates the statutes (73 O.S. 2021, Sections 345 and 346) governing Capitol building renovations and repairs. The bill does not alter funding limits ($120 million) or the process for issuing bonds for Capitol projects. It primarily removes the oversight committee requirement from the legal framework.

Maddy summaryHB 1737, the "Natural Gas Utility Infrastructure Cost Recovery Act of 2025," allows natural gas utilities to seek pre-approval from Oklahoma's Corporation Commission for constructing or investing in energy infrastructure (like natural gas systems, renewable natural gas, hydrogen, or carbon capture facilities). If approved as serving the "public interest" (e.g., improving reliability, creating jobs, or environmental benefits), utilities can recover these costs through customer rates. The bill requires the Commission to approve or deny applications within 240 days and limits cost recovery to 10% above approved amounts, with excess costs reviewed later. It also mandates the Commission to create rules for cost assessments related to staff and legal reviews, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1737, the "Natural Gas Utility Infrastructure Cost Recovery Act of 2025," allows natural gas utilities in Oklahoma to seek pre-approval from the Corporation Commission for infrastructure investments (like pipelines, renewable natural gas systems, or hydrogen projects) before building them. If the Commission determines the project serves the "public interest" (e.g., improving reliability or creating jobs), the utility can recover costs from customers. The Commission must review applications within 240 days, and costs exceeding 10% of approved amounts require later review. The bill also lets the Commission assess fees from utilities to cover staff/Attorney General costs for reviewing applications, with rules due by April 2026. It affects regulated natural gas utilities seeking to recover infrastructure costs.

Maddy summarySB 422 prohibits public entities (including state agencies, local governments, and contractors working with them) from requiring residents to get COVID-19 vaccines or discriminating based on vaccination status. The bill applies to all residents of Oklahoma and covers businesses under contract with government entities. It defines "political subdivision" and codifies these restrictions into Oklahoma law, taking immediate effect due to an emergency declaration. The law does not restrict private businesses not under government contract.

Maddy summarySB 422 prohibits public entities (like state agencies, counties, schools, and cities) and businesses under contract with them from requiring residents to get COVID-19 vaccines or discriminating against them based on vaccination status. It directly affects all Oklahoma residents who interact with these public services or contractors. The bill bans both vaccine mandates and discrimination related to vaccination, covering all current and future variants of the COVID-19 vaccine. This law takes immediate effect as an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 879 requires health care providers to obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before vaccinating an infant (including for Hepatitis B), explaining associated risks. It makes such vaccinations voluntary and "opt-in only," prohibiting providers from implying consent is required. The law directly affects infants receiving specific vaccines and their parents or legal guardians. It takes effect on November 1, 2025, and codifies these requirements in Oklahoma law.

Maddy summarySB 879 requires healthcare providers to obtain written informed consent from a parent or legal guardian before administering certain vaccines (like Hepatitis B) to infants, explaining associated risks. It makes these vaccinations voluntary and opt-in only, prohibiting providers from implying consent is required. The bill directly affects infants receiving these specific vaccines and their parents or guardians. It takes effect November 1, 2025, and is codified under Oklahoma Statutes Section 1-511.1.

Maddy summaryHB 1835 amends Oklahoma's definitions in the Protective Services for Vulnerable Adults Act to clarify protections for elderly and disabled adults who cannot care for themselves due to disability or incapacity. The bill specifically defines key terms like "abuse" (including physical, sexual, and financial harm), "exploitation," "neglect," and "personal degradation" (including restrictions on misuse of electronic images). It updates reporting requirements for caretakers and service providers, ensuring consistent definitions across the Nursing Home Care Act and Protection and Advocacy System. This bill directly affects vulnerable adults, their caretakers, and oversight agencies by standardizing how abuse and neglect are identified and reported.

Maddy summaryHB 1835 amends Oklahoma's definitions and requirements for protecting vulnerable adults, directly affecting elderly and disabled individuals who cannot meet their own essential health and safety needs. The bill updates key terms like "abuse" (including physical, sexual, and emotional harm), "exploitation" (financial misuse), and "neglect," while adding specific rules about electronic images to prevent "personal degradation." It requires caregivers and service providers to report suspected abuse, clarifies liability protections for good-faith reporters, and defines "vulnerable adult" to include those with disabilities, dementia, or incapacity. The law also establishes clearer procedures for investigations and reporting to the Department of Human Services.