Maddy summaryHB 4429, the "Proxy Advisor Transparency Act," requires proxy advisors (firms that advise shareholders on voting) to disclose when they make voting recommendations against company management without conducting a written financial analysis. Specifically, if a recommendation isn't based on an analysis of financial benefits/costs to shareholders, the advisor must provide clear disclosures to shareholders and send copies to the company's board. The law also mandates that advisors publicly state on their website if any recommendations lack this financial analysis. This applies to all proxy advisory services in Oklahoma, including voting advice on proposals related to executive pay, governance, or company policies. The bill aims to increase transparency around voting recommendations, particularly those based on non-financial factors like ESG or DEI.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 1170, the Oklahoma Public Finance Protection Act, requires state pension fund managers to base all investment decisions solely on financial factors affecting returns or risk, prohibiting consideration of environmental, social, political, or ideological goals. It directly affects all Oklahoma public pension plans (including those managed by state entities, counties, municipalities, and schools) and their fiduciaries. The law mandates that fiduciaries evaluate investments exclusively using "pecuniary factors," such as financial risk and return, and prohibits voting proxies or making investment choices to advance nonfinancial objectives, while allowing incidental consideration of factors with proven material financial impact.
Maddy summaryHB 3329 extends the expiration date of Oklahoma's Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board from July 1, 2025, to July 1, 2027. The bill modifies Oklahoma Statutes Section 1-1923 to continue the board's operation, which advises the State Commissioner of Health on long-term care services. The advisory board, composed of 13 members including healthcare professionals, facility operators, and public representatives, provides recommendations on care standards for nursing homes, residential care facilities, and adult day care centers. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, as an emergency measure.
Maddy summaryHB 3742 amends Oklahoma's criminal discovery rules to shorten the time limit for completing pre-trial evidence exchanges. It specifically requires prosecutors to disclose detailed information about jailhouse informants - including their criminal history, any deals made with them, and specific statements made to them - 10 days before trial. The bill also mandates district attorneys to maintain centralized records of all cases using jailhouse informants, with annual de-identified reports published by the District Attorneys Council. This directly affects criminal defendants, prosecutors, and jailhouse informants in Oklahoma court proceedings by increasing transparency around informant credibility. The changes aim to streamline discovery while improving accountability for informant testimony.
Maddy summaryHB 3327 increases Oklahoma's State Board of Education from seven to nine members and changes how they are appointed: the Governor appoints four members, the House Speaker appoints two, and the Senate President appoints two, all from congressional districts or the state at large. It immediately vacates all current board seats and requires new appointments within 30 days, with terms ending April 2, 2030, after which future appointments follow this structure. The bill also adds eligibility requirements, including a high school diploma or equivalent, prohibits serving on a local school board, and mandates free training workshops for new members. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 4311 amends Oklahoma's Unclaimed Property Fund rules to clarify allowable deductions from funds before deposit. It permits the State Treasurer to deduct up to 6% of funds for administrative costs (including legal fees and technology), 15% for a Clearinghouse Fund, and 25% for attorney fees in enforcement actions. The bill requires detailed public records of unclaimed property claims after 12 months, including claimant names and property details. These changes directly affect the State Treasurer’s office, financial institutions holding unclaimed property, and individuals seeking abandoned assets. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
Maddy summarySB 1439 blocks lawsuits against fossil fuel companies (including producers, sellers, and trade associations) that claim climate change or greenhouse gas emissions caused harm when their products functioned as designed. The bill prohibits any civil action seeking relief related to climate change, alleged climate effects, or emissions - covering common claims like fraud or failure to warn - but excludes cases involving violations of environmental or worker protection laws. It applies to all fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, etc.) and requires courts to dismiss ongoing climate-related lawsuits immediately upon the bill's effective date. This law creates a new legal barrier for climate change litigation while preserving access to courts for environmental law enforcement.
Maddy summaryHB 3704 directs Oklahoma to participate in a federal income tax credit program allowing individuals to claim a credit for donations to scholarship granting organizations (SGOs). The bill requires the Governor to certify Oklahoma's participation to the U.S. Treasury and designates the Oklahoma Tax Commission to register SGOs, maintain their lists, and handle federal reporting. This enables Oklahoma taxpayers to claim the federal credit for qualifying donations, while coordinating with Oklahoma's existing state tax credit for SGO contributions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and remains in place until changed by law or federal policy.
Maddy summarySB 419 amends Oklahoma law to explicitly authorize the State Treasurer to employ or appoint attorneys for legal matters, which was previously unclear under existing statutes. This change directly affects the State Treasurer's office by giving it direct authority to hire legal counsel, aligning it with other state entities like the Tax Commission or Land Office. The bill updates Section 18c of Title 74 by adding the State Treasurer to the list of state officers permitted to employ attorneys, clarifying statutory language without creating new legal duties. The amendment removes ambiguity about the Treasurer’s hiring authority while maintaining existing provisions requiring the Attorney General to handle most other legal matters for state agencies.
Maddy summaryHB 2361, the "Successful Adulthood Act," requires Oklahoma's Department of Human Services to provide foster youth aged 14 and older with a "Notice of Rights" explaining their legal protections. It mandates that youth transitioning out of foster care at age 18 receive essential documents, including birth certificates, Social Security cards, medical records, and educational transcripts, to support independent living. The bill extends eligibility for transition services, including housing, education, and Medicaid coverage, until age 21 for those in foster care due to abuse or neglect. It also requires the Department to provide information about college financial aid programs to foster youth and their guardians. These provisions aim to improve stability and self-sufficiency for young adults aging out of foster care.