Sen. Darcy Jech

Maddy summaryHB 1811 changes Oklahoma insurance rules for chronic condition care. It requires insurers to keep prior authorizations valid for six months for non-inpatient treatments (like outpatient care) and 14 days for inpatient acute care. For ongoing inpatient stays, insurers must approve extensions within 72 hours or continue paying providers; they cannot use stricter criteria than the initial approval. The law does not require coverage for conditions already excluded from policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1811 updates insurance requirements for prior authorizations related to chronic conditions, affecting patients, healthcare providers, and health benefit plans. It mandates that prior authorizations for non-inpatient care for chronic conditions remain valid for at least six months. For initial inpatient acute care for chronic conditions, prior authorizations must be valid for at least fourteen days. The bill also specifies that health plans must continue to compensate providers for inpatient care when a timely request for authorization continuation or an appeal for that care is pending. These changes are set to become effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax notice requirements to ensure homeowners with homestead properties receive clear information about value limits. Specifically, it requires county assessors to include details on applying for a "limit on fair cash value" (a homestead property tax cap) in written notices when property valuations increase. This applies directly to Oklahoma homeowners whose primary residence qualifies as a homestead under state law. The bill does not change tax rates but improves transparency in the notification process for affected property owners.

Maddy summarySB 398 amends Oklahoma's Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act to clarify administrative procedures for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. It requires registrants (like pharmacies or labs handling controlled substances) to request an administrative hearing within 30 days of receiving an "order to show cause," or their violations are deemed admitted. The bill limits court jurisdiction for registration disputes to Oklahoma County, allows immediate registration suspensions without a hearing during public safety emergencies, and caps daily administrative penalties at $5,000 for violations. These changes streamline enforcement while providing clearer timelines and boundaries for regulatory actions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 681 amends Oklahoma's property tax law regarding notices of increased property valuation. The bill requires county assessors to include specific information in these notices sent to property owners. For real property classified as a homestead, the notice must now include information about the constitutional limit on the fair cash value of the property. This change aims to ensure homeowners are informed about potential limitations on their property's valuation increases.

Maddy summarySB 398 clarifies administrative procedures for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics when issuing "orders to show cause" to registrants (such as pharmacies or clinics handling controlled substances) suspected of violating drug laws. It specifies that legal challenges must be filed only in Oklahoma County courts, allows subpoenas to be quashed if not necessary for cases, and requires registrations to remain active during hearings unless public safety demands immediate suspension. The bill also updates rules for delegating hearing authority and handling evidence requests. These changes streamline administrative processes under the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act without altering drug classification or penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 2161 clarifies Oklahoma museums' legal rights to claim ownership of property without clear ownership records or unreturned loans. It allows museums to claim title to "undocumented property" (items without verified owner records) after seven years of possession, following a two-step public notice process. For loaned property, museums may claim title after two years of no contact with the lender, requiring certified mail notices and public publication if contact fails. The law requires museums to maintain detailed records, notify lenders of changes, and provides a two-year window for claimants to challenge ownership. This law, enacted May 8, 2025, directly affects Oklahoma museums and individuals with potential claims to museum-held items.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 2161 establishes procedures for museums in Oklahoma to manage and acquire legal title to undocumented or unclaimed loaned property. It affects museums, individuals who loan items to museums, and those whose property is held by museums without clear ownership records. Museums can gain ownership of undocumented property held for seven years or more after publishing two public notices if no valid claim is made within 90 days. For loaned property, museums can acquire title if a loan has expired and there's been no contact for two years, following attempts to notify the lender by certified mail and public notice. The bill also outlines museum obligations for record-keeping and informing lenders, and sets a two-year limit for legal actions against museums after title transfer.

Maddy summarySB 363 would have exempted specific private and out-of-state higher education institutions from Oklahoma's accreditation requirements. It exempted institutions participating in Oklahoma's Tuition Equalization Grant program, out-of-state schools in state authorization reciprocity agreements (for online education), religious degree-granting institutions, and schools offering only qualifying religious degrees. The bill also required non-exempt institutions to meet accreditation standards and pay fees for authorization, with funds supporting a tuition recovery fund. However, the bill was vetoed by the Governor on May 6, 2025, and did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 940 requires the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to create a statewide plan for controlling harmful woody species (like Eastern Redcedar and salt cedar) on state-owned, leased, or operated land. State agencies - including Agriculture, Wildlife Conservation, Corrections, and Transportation - must compile a report by January 1, 2026, detailing affected properties and control plans, with annual updates submitted to the Legislature starting November 1, 2026. The bill defines "harmful woody species" as trees or shrubs rapidly encroaching and threatening the environment or economy. It becomes law without a governor's signature, effective July 1, 2025.