Sen. Julie Daniels

Maddy summarySB 17 repeals three specific sections (3-117.1, 3-117.2, and 3-117.3) of Oklahoma's school finance law that governed the School Finance Review Commission. This bill removes existing legal language related to the commission's structure or function without creating new requirements or affecting any entities directly. The repeal takes effect on November 1, 2025. As a procedural bill, it does not establish new policy or alter funding mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 1043 changes Oklahoma's State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision by adding two physician assistant members to the board, increasing its total size from seven to nine members. The bill requires physician assistant board members to be licensed and actively practicing for three years (or meet continuing education requirements if retired), and shifts appointment authority: the Governor appoints five members (including three physicians), while the Senate President and House Speaker each appoint one physician assistant. It also shortens physician members' terms from seven to four years and removes the limit on serving two consecutive terms. These changes directly affect medical board composition, physician assistants seeking board roles, and the appointment process for healthcare regulators.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment (SJR 2) changes Oklahoma's budget procedures by establishing annual spending limits based on inflation and population growth. It requires the State Board of Equalization to certify revenue estimates and spending limits (capped at 95% of projected revenue), mandating voter approval for any appropriations exceeding these limits. The amendment also renames the "Constitutional Reserve Fund" as the "Constitutional Emergency Fund" and modifies how state funds are allocated and certified. It directly affects state budgeting processes and requires legislative action to adjust spending beyond certified limits.

Maddy summarySB 43 removes a limitation on deducting gambling losses for Oklahoma taxpayers who itemize deductions. It amends Section 2358 of Oklahoma's tax code to eliminate the previous cap on deducting wagering losses, directly affecting individual taxpayers with significant gambling losses who file itemized returns. The bill updates statutory language to allow full deduction of these losses without the prior restriction for certain tax years. This change aligns Oklahoma's tax treatment of wagering losses more closely with federal tax rules.

Maddy summarySB 830 mandates that Oklahoma's Supreme Court must assign all civil appeals from district court decisions to the Court of Civil Appeals, removing the Supreme Court's discretion to retain such cases. This affects all civil litigants in Oklahoma, as their appeals will now automatically go to the intermediate court instead of potentially staying with the Supreme Court. Key provisions include prohibiting the Supreme Court from recalling assigned cases and guaranteeing parties the right to submit briefs and present oral arguments in Supreme Court reviews of Court of Civil Appeals decisions. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025, and does not alter the Supreme Court's original jurisdiction.

Maddy summarySB 542 modifies Oklahoma's Administrative Procedures Act to improve transparency and efficiency in agency hearings. It requires agencies to issue declaratory rulings within 120 days, mandates that all parties receive copies of hearing notices, and adds specific grounds for disqualifying hearing examiners or agency members (such as improper appointment or failure to take the oath). The bill also increases attorney fee awards in certain cases and updates statutory language to be gender-neutral. These changes directly affect state agencies, individuals/businesses participating in administrative proceedings, and hearing examiners.

Maddy summarySB 910, the Military Installation and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2025, prohibits foreign principals from countries designated as "foreign adversaries" (by the U.S. Secretary of State) from owning, leasing, or controlling agricultural land or property near military bases. It requires companies accessing Oklahoma's critical infrastructure (like energy, water, or telecommunications systems) to certify foreign ownership status and bans certain foreign software from state infrastructure systems. The bill establishes registration requirements, mandates the Attorney General to enforce compliance through court actions, and creates whistleblower rewards for reporting violations, with proceeds from forfeited property funding enforcement efforts.

Maddy summarySB 976 allows Oklahoma counties with over 500,000 residents (per the latest federal census) to hire a county manager with budget board approval. The county manager would improve government efficiency, oversee human resources and IT departments, assist with budget development, and serve as a voting member of the county budget board. This bill directly affects large-county governance by creating a new management role and updating the budget board structure to include the manager. It amends existing law to require the county manager’s participation in budget deliberations and formalizes their role in county operations. The changes take effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 989 creates the "Wrongful Death Protection Act of 2025," making manufacturers, distributors, or providers of abortion-inducing drugs strictly liable for wrongful death or personal injuries to an unborn child or pregnant woman resulting from those drugs. It targets specific drugs like mifepristone and misoprostol (excluding emergency contraception like Plan B or IUDs), requiring strict liability regardless of causation. Key provisions include banning defenses like "ignorance of law" or consent, voiding waivers of liability, and allowing lawsuits within six years of the incident. The bill explicitly excludes liability for medical procedures like ectopic pregnancy treatment or emergency contraception.

Maddy summarySB 1043 modifies Oklahoma's State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision by adding two physician assistant (PA) members to the board, increasing its total membership to seven physicians, two PAs, and four lay members. It reduces the term length for board members from seven to four years and changes appointment procedures, requiring the Governor to appoint three physician members, while the Senate President and House Speaker each appoint one physician and one PA member. The bill also removes restrictions on appointees, allows appointing authorities to consider recommendations from professional organizations, and prohibits board members from voting on issues where they have a financial interest. These changes take effect November 1, 2025.