Sen. Kristen Thompson

Maddy summarySB 942 is a clarifying amendment to an existing education discrimination bill. It adds a specific provision (subsection G) explicitly stating that the bill's provisions do not restrict the implementation, funding, or administration of Indian education programs or services established under federal or state law. This amendment directly affects existing Indian education programs by ensuring they remain protected from potential unintended restrictions under the broader anti-discrimination law. The amendment was added to the bill on February 24, 2025, and the bill became law after the governor approved it on May 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryOklahoma's SB 991 adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) non-legally binding definition of anti-Semitism for specific state purposes. The bill requires state agencies, programs, and officials to use this definition exclusively for training, education, recognizing, and reporting anti-Semitic incidents - *not* as a legal standard for discrimination cases. It explicitly states the definition does not limit free speech protections under the U.S. or Oklahoma Constitutions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and was signed by the governor on May 6, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Oklahoma Tourism Development Act to increase the cumulative inducement amount that can be provided annually for tourism promotion. It directly affects state agencies responsible for developing and marketing Oklahoma as a travel destination. The key provision allows for a higher annual budget allocation to incentivize tourism growth through financial incentives. The bill became law on May 7, 2025, without requiring the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 991 codifies the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Anti-Semitism, including its contemporary examples, into Oklahoma law. This definition is adopted exclusively as a tool and guide for state agencies and institutions, including law enforcement, for training, education, and recognizing and combating anti-Semitic hate crimes or discrimination. It also provides a framework for tracking and reporting anti-Semitic incidents within the state. The bill explicitly states that its provisions do not diminish or infringe upon rights protected under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or the Oklahoma Constitution.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 942, titled "Education; prohibiting certain discrimination on certain basis against students or employees," includes an amendment that clarifies its scope. This amendment ensures that nothing in the act will limit or restrict the implementation, funding, or administration of any Indian education programs or services established under federal or state law. The provided text primarily details this specific clarification, and does not fully outline the types of discrimination prohibited by the main bill.

Maddy summaryHB 1483 expands whistleblower protections for employees in Oklahoma public schools. This bill extends existing protections, previously applicable to teachers, to include school "support employees" such as paraprofessionals and administrative staff. It prohibits school districts from taking disciplinary action against these employees for disclosing or reporting believed violations of state law, the Oklahoma Constitution, or rules, even without prior notice to a supervisor. School districts are also required to post this law in locations accessible to all staff.

Maddy summarySB 249 increases sales tax credit limits for tourism development projects under Oklahoma's Tourism Development Act. It raises the maximum credit to 10% for projects costing $500,000-$1 million (previously capped by revenue-neutrality) and to 25% for projects exceeding $1 million, both still limited to revenue-neutral levels. The bill also expands pass-through options for Entertainment Districts, allowing approved companies to transfer credits to tenants with specific filing requirements. It directly affects tourism developers and entertainment district operators seeking state incentives. The changes extend the program's sunset date but maintain the requirement that projects must not cost the state money.

Maddy summaryHB 1256 creates a Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund using fines from license violations in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades. The fund finances contracts between the Construction Industries Board and career tech schools to develop trade-specific curriculum and promote skilled trade careers through public campaigns. It directs fines from four licensing revolving funds into this new account, requiring grantees to report on fund usage and program success. The bill directly affects trade workers, vocational schools receiving contracts, and the Construction Industries Board, which manages the fund and oversees program implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 1256 grants the Oklahoma Construction Industries Board new authority to support skilled trade education and workforce development. The bill allows the Board to contract with vocational schools and other educational institutions to create courses on trade regulations and develop programs promoting careers in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and roofing trades. To fund these initiatives, it establishes a "Skilled Trade Education and Workforce Development Fund." This fund will receive money from administrative fines collected by the Board from existing trade-specific revolving funds, with specific conditions to ensure those funds remain solvent. These funds are dedicated to advancing trade-related education and workforce development in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 758 limits when Oklahoma public school districts and charter schools can count virtual instruction toward required annual instructional hours (1,080 hours or 180 days). Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, schools generally cannot count days when school is closed with virtual instruction toward these requirements. The bill allows counting up to two days (or 12 hours) per year only if the Superintendent of Public Instruction approves the school's virtual instruction plan. This change directly affects how districts report instructional time and must comply with state guidelines for virtual learning.