Sen. Julie Daniels

Maddy summaryHB 1024 amends Oklahoma's Unfair Sales Act to clarify what constitutes an "unreasonably low profit margin" for retailers and wholesalers. It defines this as selling items at prices too low to cover costs (including standard business expenses like a 6% markup) with the intent or effect of eliminating competition in a local area. The law prohibits advertising, offering, or selling items below cost or at unfairly low margins to divert trade from competitors or harm competition. This directly affects businesses selling goods at retail or wholesale within Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1024 amends Oklahoma's Unfair Sales Act by removing the requirement for retailers to include a 6% markup when calculating "cost to the retailer" for pricing purposes. This change directly affects retailers and wholesalers operating in Oklahoma, simplifying how they determine base costs for goods. The bill deletes specific language about adding a 6% markup to cover business costs, streamlining the definition of "cost to the retailer" in the statute. The amendment takes effect on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 956 modifies Oklahoma's residency rules for judicial candidates. It allows candidates from within a judicial district (not just the county) to run for associate district judge vacancies if no local candidates file, and removes residency requirements for appointees filling vacancies who later seek election to a full term. The bill updates Section 92i of Oklahoma Statutes, affecting candidates for district and associate district judge positions. It becomes effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 956 modifies Oklahoma's residency rules for judicial candidates. It allows candidates from within a judicial district (not just the county) to run for a vacant associate district judge position if no local candidates file, after county election board certification. Crucially, it removes the residency requirement for appointees filling such vacancies who later seek election to a full term. This directly affects judicial candidates and appointees in counties with no local applicants for judicial offices. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 39 modifies Oklahoma's handgun licensing rules under the Self-Defense Act to prevent denial of licenses solely due to holding a valid medical marijuana patient license. It amends Section 1290.10 of state law to explicitly state that "an applicant shall not be considered ineligible solely on the basis of being a lawful holder of a medical marijuana patient license." The bill removes a previous barrier for medical marijuana patients seeking handgun licenses while maintaining other eligibility requirements. This change specifically affects individuals with valid Oklahoma medical marijuana licenses who apply for concealed carry permits. The bill does not alter medical marijuana laws or address drug use in relation to firearm possession beyond this licensing provision.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Oklahoma's public nuisance laws to prevent businesses selling lawful products from being classified as public nuisances. It requires courts to find that a defendant controlled the nuisance conditions before awarding liability and mandates "clear and convincing evidence" for private lawsuits claiming special harm. These changes directly affect businesses selling legal goods and individuals filing civil nuisance claims. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2233 updates Oklahoma's Massage Therapy Practice Act by clarifying licensing rules and scope of practice for massage therapists. It directly affects licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and other health professionals who may provide massage services. Key changes include renaming the regulating board to the Oklahoma Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, explicitly allowing "direct access" (public can seek massage without medical referral), and defining massage therapy as soft tissue techniques (e.g., touch, pressure, heat) while prohibiting diagnosis, prescribing, or medical techniques like ultrasound. The bill also clarifies exemptions for physicians, students, and specific practices like the Feldenkrais Method when performed within their established professional scope.

Maddy summarySB 419 amends Oklahoma statute 74 O.S. 2021, Section 18c to authorize the State Treasurer to directly employ or appoint attorneys for legal representation. Previously, the State Treasurer was excluded from entities allowed to hire attorneys under this section, which now explicitly includes them. The bill updates statutory language and references while maintaining existing provisions for other state entities like the Corporation Commission and Oklahoma Tax Commission. It takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 833 changes how medical expenses are proven in Oklahoma personal injury lawsuits. It requires courts to use actual payments made by patients or Medicare reimbursement rates (instead of full billed amounts) when establishing medical costs for past treatment or future care. This applies to both current bills and future treatment costs, limiting evidence to amounts that would be covered by insurance or Medicare. The law directly affects plaintiffs, medical providers, and courts by standardizing evidence rules and preventing inflated billed amounts from being used in trials.

Maddy summarySB 835 requires Oklahoma state licensing boards (called "qualifying boards") with majority market participants to submit proposed actions likely to harm competition - such as license suspensions, revocations, or decisions based on competitor complaints - to the Secretary of State for review. The Secretary must confirm if the action enforces a clear state policy within 60 days, and the board must follow their recommendation or face member removal for misconduct. Actions without anticompetitive effects - like consented decisions, criminal convictions, mandatory statute implementations, or fines - do not require review. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.