Sen. Julie Daniels

Maddy summarySB 227 modifies Oklahoma's tax code to limit certain tax exemptions and credits, primarily affecting oil and gas producers who qualify as having "economically at-risk" leases. It narrows the definition of such leases for 2022-2024 to require specific production volume and value thresholds (e.g., oil at under $50/barrel or gas at under $3.50/MMBtu) and caps annual refunds for these exemptions at $12.5 million for 2015-2016. The bill also sets a deadline for claiming refunds for 2022 and later (by its effective date) and adjusts income tax rates while restricting refundability of credits like the earned income tax credit to specified tax years.

Maddy summarySB 70 requires Oklahoma courts and administrative hearing officers to interpret state statutes, rules, and other documents "de novo" (without deferring to agency interpretations). Instead, courts must directly interpret the law themselves, and when ambiguity remains, they must resolve it in favor of limiting agency power and maximizing individual liberty. The bill, effective November 1, 2025, amends Oklahoma’s Administrative Procedures Act to change how legal interpretations are handled in cases involving state agencies.

Maddy summarySB 267 establishes the School of American Civic Thought and Leadership at the University of Oklahoma (OU). The school's purpose is to teach students about American political principles, leadership, civic engagement, and foundational topics like American history, government, and free market economics. Key provisions include authorizing the school to develop new courses (including a potential mandatory graduation requirement), hire faculty, create an advisory board appointed by OU's Board of Regents, and operate as an academic unit on OU's Norman campus. The bill also includes procedures for appointing a director and requires an annual report on the school's activities.

Maddy summarySB 910 prohibits foreign entities from "foreign adversary countries" (designated by the U.S. Secretary of State) from owning agricultural land near military bases or controlling critical infrastructure like water systems, power grids, or cybersecurity networks. It requires companies to certify foreign ownership before accessing critical infrastructure and bans certain foreign software from state systems, with penalties including forced land sales or certification revocation. The law directly affects foreign-owned businesses, companies managing Oklahoma’s essential infrastructure, and entities with foreign ties. Key mechanisms include mandatory registration, whistleblower rewards for reporting violations, and Attorney General enforcement authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma's Medicaid program to strengthen the state's ability to recover medical costs from insurers and third-party administrators when they cover services for Medicaid patients. It requires these payers to accept claims from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority without denying them based on late submission, claim format, or missing coverage documentation at the time of service. Additionally, the law prohibits insurers from rejecting claims solely because prior authorization was not obtained, while also mandating that inquiries about claims be answered within 60 days if submitted within three years of the service date. These changes apply to all insurers and third-party administrators in the state, except for Medicare Advantage plans, and establish specific timelines for processing payments and legal actions.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Oklahoma's laws regarding the process for citizens to propose new laws or constitutional amendments through initiative petitions or to challenge existing laws via referendum petitions. It requires proponents to file a $1,000 fee with the Secretary of State, which can be reimbursed if the petition qualifies for the ballot, and mandates that individuals gathering signatures undergo a criminal history investigation. The legislation also extends the time limit for filing legal objections to the constitutionality of a petition from ten to ninety days and sets specific deadlines for signature gathering, ranging from fifteen to thirty days for initiatives and ninety days for referendums. Additionally, it outlines procedures for petition withdrawal and requires the Secretary of State to report signature counts to the Supreme Court for final determination.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma's Electrical License Act to clarify definitions and establish rules for registering student electrical apprentices. It directly affects individuals aged sixteen or older who are learning electrical work under supervision by allowing them to register as student electrical intern apprentices. The legislation modifies existing statutes to include specific age requirements, define what constitutes an apprentice, and set conditions for their registration and expiration. Additionally, the bill exempts certain low-voltage Class 2 and Class 3 circuits from strict licensing requirements if they follow national fire safety standards. These changes aim to streamline the regulatory framework for training new electricians while maintaining safety standards.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Oklahoma Attorney General expanded authority to represent state officers, boards, and commissions in legal matters and to defend them when they are sued. It modifies existing statutes to clarify that the Attorney General handles legal duties for most state agencies, with specific exceptions where other entities may hire their own counsel or where the Governor appoints special counsel. The legislation also updates procedures for criminal actions, identity theft expungements, and sentencing powers, requiring certain approvals from the Attorney General in specific cases. These changes are designed to streamline legal representation and oversight across various state departments and offices.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill updates the state's rules for how quickly criminal trials must begin and establishes a system for courts to review delays. It requires judges to automatically schedule a hearing if a person held in jail is not tried within nine months or if someone on bail is not tried within 18 months. During these hearings, the court will examine specific reasons for delays, such as the defendant's actions, unavailability of witnesses, or court resource issues. If the court determines the state has not acted with due diligence and no valid reason exists for the delay, the charges must be dismissed. The law also clarifies when the trial clock restarts after a mistrial or appeal and sets a schedule for courts to continue monitoring pending cases.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program by eliminating the requirement that applicants must have attended school during the previous year. The change directly affects students with disabilities who are eligible for the scholarship but may have gaps in their school attendance due to their specific needs. By removing this attendance rule, the program allows a broader range of qualified students to apply for financial assistance without meeting the prior year's enrollment condition. This adjustment streamlines the application process to better accommodate the diverse circumstances of students with disabilities.