Sen. Lonnie Paxton

Maddy summarySB 637 modifies Oklahoma's criminal procedure for cases involving police use of deadly force. It allows officers charged with unlawful deadly force to file a motion to dismiss charges early, arguing their actions were justified under the law. If denied, officers can appeal the ruling directly to a higher judge (Chief Judge or Presiding Judge), with the appeal focusing solely on whether the force was lawful. The bill also adds new grounds for the state to appeal court decisions granting immunity to defendants under this specific provision, prioritizing such appeals.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to change how Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner is selected. Instead of being elected, the position would be filled by the Governor's appointment with the Senate's consent, and the Commissioner would serve "at the pleasure of the Governor" (meaning the Governor can remove them anytime). It also removes the previous 8-year term limit for the role. The first appointment would occur after the 2026 election, replacing the current elected system. The amendment updates gendered language in the existing constitutional provisions.

Maddy summarySB 784 creates Oklahoma's Motor Vehicle Consumer Protection Act, requiring repair shops to obtain written or documented verbal consent from customers before performing service work and providing detailed written estimates. It caps tear-down process fees at $65 per hour (max 4 hours) and limits administrative charges to the same rate, while setting specific maximum daily storage fees ($39-$55 depending on vehicle size) for the first 10 days. The bill directly affects motor vehicle repair facilities (garages) and consumers/responsible parties (including vehicle owners and insurance representatives) by mandating transparency in pricing and limiting certain fees. The Insurance Department must adjust the hourly rate every five years based on market conditions, starting July 2030.

Maddy summarySB 195 amends Oklahoma's AIM Act to require schools (public, private, magnet, charter, or virtual) to obtain liability insurance for students participating in apprenticeships, internships, or mentorships. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services must secure this coverage from a qualified insurer at no cost to students, parents, or schools. The bill prohibits charging participants for the insurance and clarifies that failing to obtain coverage does not create legal liability for students or schools. This update to the 2016 AIM Act takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySCR 1 amends the internal operating rules for Oklahoma's 60th Legislature, focusing on procedural changes for joint legislative operations. It establishes detailed rules for Joint Committees, including how they are chaired (requiring co-chairs from both chambers), scheduled, and vote (requiring majority support from both chambers for recommendations). The resolution also specifies procedures for the Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget, including membership and meeting requirements. As a procedural resolution, it affects only the legislature's internal processes, not public policy or external stakeholders.

Maddy summarySCR 1 is a procedural resolution amending the joint rules for Oklahoma's 60th Legislature (2025-2026 session). It updates how the Senate and House of Representatives operate jointly, including requirements for public notice of committee meetings (24 hours), voting procedures for joint committees (requiring majority support from both chambers), and communication protocols between chambers. These changes directly affect legislative staff, committee members, and lawmakers by standardizing inter-chamber procedures and committee operations. The resolution does not alter substantive policy but governs the legislative process itself.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to review employee applications for credentials needed to work in licensed medical marijuana businesses. The law mandates that these credentials be issued only after a third-party vendor completes a national fingerprint-based background check and verifies the applicant's eligibility. If an application is rejected or denied, the Authority must provide a written explanation, and applicants have 30 days to resubmit missing information. The bill also grants the Authority the power to set costs for these services and protects third-party vendors from civil liability when acting in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma laws to ensure unused water rights revert to the public and strengthens the Oklahoma Water Resources Board's ability to enforce water regulations. It requires permit holders to submit annual reports detailing their water usage, allowing them to explain any periods of nonuse, and permits the Board to cancel permits for failure to report. The legislation also clarifies that unauthorized water use or violations of permit conditions are misdemeanors subject to daily fines of up to $5,000 and gives the Board authority to issue immediate orders to stop water use in cases of imminent danger.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Incentive Act to expand and modify how financial rebates are provided for projects that lower emissions from oil and gas activities. The legislation defines eligible projects to include various technologies that reduce pollutants or energy use across upstream, midstream, and downstream operations, such as retrofitting engines and installing monitoring equipment. It creates a new revolving fund called the Oklahoma Emission Reduction Technology Downstream Incentive Revolving Fund and allows rebates of up to 25% of documented project costs, with a total annual cap of $10 million. To receive these payments, applicants must submit documentation to the Department of Environmental Quality within six months of the fiscal year end and meet specific tax and insurance requirements. The bill also updates administrative procedures, including allowing pre-expenditure approvals and establishing proportional payment rules if the available funds are insufficient to cover all approved claims.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates the Oklahoma Low Carbon Energy Initiative to expand its focus on a broader range of energy technologies, including hydrogen production, carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery, and renewable energy integration. It establishes a strategic program designed to foster collaboration between state agencies, universities, and private companies to advance research and infrastructure while ensuring efforts do not duplicate existing work. The legislation creates a revolving fund in the state treasury to manage all incoming money for the initiative and authorizes the program to accept donations and grants from various sources. Additionally, the bill directs state appropriations to the Secretary of Energy and includes provisions for attracting researchers and supporting venture capital investments in energy-related businesses.