Sen. Darrell Weaver

Maddy summaryHB 1061 makes it a crime to assault or batter certain public officials while they are performing their duties. It specifically targets attacks on municipal, county, or state officials like police, fire, code enforcement, health, or building inspectors - anyone legally authorized to investigate or enforce local, county, or state laws. Assaults on these officials become a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail or a $1,000 fine, while battery or aggravated assault becomes a felony punishable by up to five years in prison or a $5,000 fine. The bill defines "official" broadly to include roles designated by local laws or ordinances.

Maddy summaryHB 1862 creates the "Oklahoma Law Enforcement Event Deconfliction Act," requiring all Oklahoma law enforcement personnel (including federal, tribal, state, and local agencies) to submit specific details of planned high-risk operations to a centralized system before execution. Key provisions mandate submission of case numbers, exact locations, times, contact information, and search radii for events like raids, warrant services, surveillance, or undercover operations to prevent overlapping actions. The system notifies agencies of potential conflicts, requiring personnel to resolve them before proceeding, with penalties for failing to make a good-faith effort. Information submitted is confidential and protected from public disclosure under open records laws, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 855 lowers the value threshold for misdemeanor theft of merchandise from retailers or wholesalers in Oklahoma from $1,000 to $500. This means thefts valued under $500 will now be classified as misdemeanors (with penalties up to 30 days in jail and $500 fines) instead of felonies, affecting individuals who steal store goods and retailers as victims. The bill also updates felony thresholds to start at $500-$2,500 (previously $1,000-$2,500) and requires courts to aggregate multiple offenses within 180 days for sentencing. Additionally, convicted individuals must pay restitution to victims as outlined in Oklahoma law. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 103 modifies Oklahoma's income tax law by updating how certain retirement benefits are treated for tax exemption purposes during specific tax years. The bill directly affects Oklahoma taxpayers who receive retirement income by adjusting the statutory language that determines which retirement benefits are exempt from state taxation. Key provisions include amending existing tax code sections to clarify exemptions for retirement benefits and updating references to federal tax laws regarding net operating losses. The legislation also includes technical updates to statutory language and references to ensure consistency with current federal tax provisions.

Maddy summarySB 138 amends Oklahoma's civil procedure code to allow electronic service of legal documents (like summonses) in civil court cases. It directly affects plaintiffs, defendants, courts, clerks, and process servers by adding electronic delivery as a valid service method alongside traditional personal delivery. The bill establishes specific procedures for sending documents electronically, requires electronic returns of service, and updates language to be gender-neutral. This change modernizes service practices without replacing existing methods. The bill takes effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 46 amends Oklahoma's tax code (68 O.S. § 2358) to update how the state calculates taxable income by adjusting federal figures. It clarifies rules for deducting amounts Oklahoma cannot tax due to federal or constitutional constraints and revises how Oklahoma handles federal net operating loss deductions. The bill does not create new exemptions for tax refunds but refines the technical process for aligning state tax calculations with federal rules. This change affects all Oklahoma taxpayers when determining their state taxable income. The amendment updates statutory language and references, with an effective date specified in the bill.

Maddy summaryThis bill reestablishes the Oklahoma-Israel Exchange Commission to foster cooperation between the two states in areas such as trade, agriculture, energy research, and education. The nine-member commission will be appointed by Oklahoma state officials and business leaders, with meetings held quarterly and records kept publicly. The commission is authorized to raise funds through donations and grants, and it must submit annual written reports to state leadership detailing its activities and recommendations. The law takes effect on November 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma's Unclaimed Property Act to modernize how the State Treasurer handles abandoned property and claims. It allows for electronic communication and records, clarifies rules for finding wills or trusts in safe-deposit boxes, and sets higher value thresholds before requiring additional documentation from claimants. The legislation also introduces new requirements for designated representatives and buyers to use specific state-approved forms to file claims or purchase property, while protecting the State Treasurer from liability when distributing funds in good faith.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Alyssa's Law, requires every school district in Oklahoma to install a panic alert system by the start of the 2024-2025 school year. The law mandates that these systems connect directly to emergency services to allow real-time coordination and automatically send critical information, such as floor plans and caller locations, to first responders during an incident. To ensure consistency, the state education department will publish a list of approved systems that meet specific safety criteria for alerting staff and integrating with public safety infrastructure. The legislation authorizes the use of existing public school funds to cover the cost of implementing these security measures and takes effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryHB 2741 establishes the Oklahoma Elder Exploitation and Abuse Act to provide a legal pathway for vulnerable adults and incapacitated persons to file civil lawsuits against individuals who abuse, neglect, or exploit them. The bill defines specific terms such as "vulnerable adult" and "caretaker" to clarify who is protected and who may be held accountable, while also outlining what constitutes abuse, exploitation, neglect, and personal degradation. It requires that legal representatives for these individuals prioritize their self-reliance and encourage their participation in legal decisions whenever possible. Additionally, the law ensures that the duty to report suspected abuse to authorities remains unchanged and does not replace existing mandatory reporting requirements.