Sen. Julia Kirt

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Oklahoma courts to seal all records in eviction cases (forcible entry and detainer proceedings) under specific conditions. If a case is dismissed before judgment or decided in favor of the tenant (defendant), records must be sealed immediately. For cases decided in favor of the landlord (plaintiff), records must be sealed two years after the judgment. Sealed records are removed from public databases and cannot be sold or shared with third parties, with access limited only to the affected person, their attorney, the court, or court clerks. The law applies to all case-related documents, including complaints and court orders.

Maddy summarySB 129 expands in-person absentee voting opportunities for Oklahoma voters by increasing the number of days and hours they can apply for and cast ballots. It adds Thursday and Friday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) 14 days before elections, extends Saturday voting (8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) before major elections, and adds Wednesday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) before General Elections. Voters must provide ID or swear an affidavit, and ballots are handled with specific security procedures for absentee voting boards. The bill takes effect January 1, 2026, affecting registered voters in counties with over 25,000 voters or large geographic areas.

Maddy summarySB 129 expands in-person absentee voting opportunities for Oklahoma voters by adding two new voting periods: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday 14 calendar days before any election, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Wednesday before General Elections. It directly affects registered voters in Oklahoma counties, particularly those who prefer in-person absentee voting over mail ballots. The bill amends existing law to extend the window for applying and voting in person, while maintaining current requirements for voter identification and ballot handling procedures. The changes take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 938 creates a state grant program to help Oklahoma municipalities increase workforce housing availability. Workforce housing is defined as housing for households earning 60% to 120% of the county's median income. Municipalities must submit a detailed plan covering current housing supply, projected needs, land use, and existing programs to qualify for one-time grants administered by the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency. The program uses a new revolving fund in the state treasury, funded by state appropriations and private donations, and requires grantees to submit quarterly progress reports and repay funds if they fail to meet agreement terms. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 470 amends Oklahoma's Quality Jobs Program to require businesses seeking incentive payments to provide new employees with at least 12 weeks of paid family leave and an additional 2 weeks of paid leave. This applies specifically to new direct jobs created under the program, directly affecting qualifying businesses that apply for incentives after the bill's effective date. The requirement supplements existing criteria, such as minimum payroll thresholds ($2.5 million annually for most industries) and workforce composition rules. Businesses must meet this leave provision to maintain eligibility for quarterly incentive payments over a 10- or 30-year period, depending on industry classification. The bill does not change payment amounts or existing eligibility thresholds for payroll or job creation.

Maddy summarySB 471 requires all new Oklahoma economic incentives for businesses (including tax credits, grants, loans, or payments) to include measurable goals like job creation or investment targets, and limits tax credit programs to a maximum of 10 years. It directly affects businesses receiving state economic incentives by mandating clear outcome tracking and time limits. The bill expands the definition of "incentive" to cover tax credits tied to specific jobs or industries, grants, and state payments. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 82 requires Oklahoma legislators to complete four hours of mandatory ethics training every two years, provided by the Ethics Commission and focused on its rules. Each legislator must sign a form confirming completion and return it to their chamber, with Senate members reporting to the President Pro Tempore and House members to the Speaker. The President Pro Tempore and Speaker are responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance. The bill becomes effective on November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 327 modifies Oklahoma's individual income tax rates for tax years beginning in 2024. It lowers the top marginal tax rate from 5.50% to 4.75% for single filers and married couples filing jointly, while adjusting brackets for lower income levels (e.g., 0.25% on the first $1,000 for singles instead of 0.5%). The bill directly affects Oklahoma residents filing individual income tax returns for 2024 and future years. Key changes include updated tax percentages across all income tiers, with the highest rate applying to income above specific thresholds (e.g., $12,200 for single filers). The bill is currently in committee review and would take effect for the 2024 tax year.

Maddy summarySB 184 expands Oklahoma's food assistance program (SNAP) to include households already receiving state-funded benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or maintenance-of-effort (MOE) aid. It sets a 170% federal poverty level income limit for eligibility with no asset restrictions, directly affecting low-income households currently qualifying for these state programs. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to seek federal approval to implement this change, which takes effect July 1, 2025. This policy update broadens access to nutrition assistance without increasing state costs for the program.

Maddy summarySB 143 requires Oklahoma motor vehicle licensing agencies to automatically register eligible residents to vote when they apply for or renew a driver's license or state ID card, unless they decline. It mandates automatic voter registration as an independent (without choosing a political party) and updates registered voters' addresses based on license changes, unless declined. Individuals must confirm any refusal to register or update their address in writing or electronically. This applies to all Oklahoma residents seeking license services who are not non-citizens, affecting millions of voters interacting with the Department of Motor Vehicles.