Sen. Brian Guthrie

Maddy summarySB 354 (Oklahoma Senate Bill 354) removes a requirement for municipalities to deposit physical copies of their compiled penal ordinances in county law libraries. It amends 11 O.S. 2021, Section 14-110, eliminating the provision that mandated municipalities to deposit "one copy free of cost" in county law libraries. Municipalities will no longer need to physically deliver copies to libraries, though they must still file resolutions with county clerks, make ordinances available for purchase, and maintain judicial notice of ordinances. This change affects all Oklahoma municipalities compiling penal ordinances and takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2882 amends Oklahoma law to establish clearer procedures for vehicles damaged to the point of being declared "salvage" (typically when repair costs exceed 60% of fair market value). It requires insurance companies, junk dealers, and owners to return titles to Service Oklahoma within 30 days, mandates specific title stamps for flood-damaged or recovered theft vehicles, and creates a rebuilt title process requiring visual inspections, repair documentation, and a sworn affidavit. The bill directly affects insurers processing claims, junk dealers, vehicle owners seeking to repair and retitle damaged vehicles, and licensed title offices. Key mechanisms include standardized title categories, documentation requirements for repairs, and a new rule requiring businesses to post signs about penalties for falsifying affidavit statements.

Maddy summaryHB 2882 modifies Oklahoma's vehicle titling rules for damaged or salvaged vehicles. It requires insurance companies and junk dealers to return titles to Oklahoma's vehicle authority (Service Oklahoma) within 30 days after paying for a total loss or acquiring a vehicle for parts. Vehicles needing repairs exceeding 60% of their fair market value must receive a "salvage title" (with special stamps for flood damage or recovered theft), while those under 60% get their original title returned. Owners seeking a "rebuilt title" after repairs must submit an affidavit with repair receipts and pass a visual inspection verifying VIN accuracy and odometer integrity. This directly affects insurance companies, salvage yards, and vehicle owners dealing with damaged or flood-affected cars.

Maddy summarySB 944 modifies Oklahoma's hazing laws to better protect students at public and private schools and colleges. It defines hazing broadly to include activities endangering physical or mental health (like forced consumption or extreme stress), prohibits all hazing by student groups, and creates new misdemeanor charges for basic hazing (up to 90 days jail or $5,000 fines) and felony charges if hazing causes serious injury or death (up to 10 years in prison or $15,000 fines). The bill also establishes the Anti-Hazing Revolving Fund for educational programs, prohibits defenses like "tradition" or "consent," and grants immunity to students who report hazing or seek medical help for hazing victims. These changes directly affect student organizations, schools, and individuals involved in hazing incidents.

Maddy summarySB 653 amends Oklahoma law to allow the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to distribute *Oklahoma Today Magazine* electronically through subscription services, instead of requiring physical copies. This change directly affects the magazine's distribution method under the Tourism Department's operations. The bill updates Section 2237 of state law to include electronic delivery as an option, effective November 1, 2025. It does not alter the magazine's content, advertising rules, or existing operational requirements.

Maddy summarySB 944 amends Oklahoma's hazing laws to strengthen protections for students at public and private schools and colleges. It defines hazing to include both physical harm (like forced activities or exposure) and mental harm (like extreme stress), making it illegal for student organizations to engage in such activities. Violations can lead to misdemeanor charges (up to $5,000 fines or 90 days in jail) or felony charges (up to 10 years in prison) if serious injury or death occurs, with civil penalties ($15,000 per violation) deposited into an Anti-Hazing Revolving Fund. The bill also prohibits defenses like "consent" or "tradition," protects whistleblowers who report hazing in good faith, and requires schools to develop hazing prevention programs.

Maddy summarySB 653 allows the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department to distribute the *Oklahoma Today Magazine* electronically, updating existing law to permit this method alongside physical copies. The bill directly affects the Department's publication process for the magazine, which is produced six times yearly and sold through subscriptions, advertising, and newsstands. Key provisions include amending Section 2237 to explicitly authorize electronic delivery and updating statutory references, with the change taking effect November 1, 2025. The bill does not alter advertising rules, commission structures for staff, or public access requirements.

Maddy summarySB 832 adds deputy county commissioners to the definition of "public body" under Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act. This means meetings of deputy county commissioners will now be subject to the same public notice, open meeting, and transparency requirements as other county governing bodies. The bill expands public access to county government decision-making by ensuring these meetings follow the same open meeting rules. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySJR 13 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would remove political party affiliation requirements for certain members of Oklahoma's Judicial Nominating Commission. Specifically, it eliminates restrictions limiting the number of Commission members appointed by the Governor (max three per party) and the "at large" members (max two per party) based on political party. This change would directly affect how the Commission is composed, allowing appointments without party affiliation constraints. The amendment would be submitted to voters for approval via ballot measure, as required by Oklahoma law for constitutional changes.

Maddy summarySB 564 amends Oklahoma's Open Meeting Act to include the Judicial Nominating Commission as a "public body" subject to open meeting rules. It updates the list of permitted executive sessions to allow closed discussions for specific purposes, such as personnel matters, legal negotiations, confidential investigations, or safety concerns at correctional facilities. The bill clarifies that the Judicial Nominating Commission must now follow the same public meeting requirements as other state boards and commissions. This is a procedural change to definitions and meeting rules, not a new policy.