Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summarySB 673 requires that Oklahoma's asset forfeiture proceedings for property seized under specific laws (like vehicles used in crimes or stolen livestock equipment) must follow a criminal conviction for the underlying offense. This means prosecutors can only seek forfeiture after a person is convicted, not during an investigation. If the district attorney fails to file a forfeiture action within 90 days of seizure, the property must be returned to the owner. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes 21 O.S. § 1738 and 63 O.S. § 2-506 to implement this change, directly affecting property owners whose assets are seized pending criminal cases.

Maddy summarySB 732 updates Oklahoma's law on where carrying firearms is prohibited. It clarifies that concealed or unconcealed weapons are unlawful in government buildings, courthouses, most schools (except under specific policies), sports venues during events, gambling locations, and public events without "minimum-security" barriers. The bill allows concealed carry on school parking lots (with firearms stored out of view), in municipal zoos/parks owned by public trusts or nonprofits, and in designated recreational areas. It also specifies that private schools can permit firearm carry by staff if they adopt a policy, and public school personnel with security licenses may carry on campus. The law maintains $250 maximum fines for violations but does not change background checks or permit requirements.

Maddy summarySB 635, the Firearm Preservation Act, requires Oklahoma law enforcement agencies to auction seized firearms (from court orders, estates, or forfeitures) instead of destroying them, and mandates that these auctions occur only to individuals legally eligible to purchase firearms who pass required background checks. Proceeds from the auctions must fund agency operations, training, or other state-approved expenses, while agencies must maintain detailed records of each sale for five years. The bill also shields agencies from liability if auctioned firearms are later used in crimes and imposes fines of $500 for first violations (increasing to $1,000 for repeat offenses), with collected fines deposited into the state general fund. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and future firearm purchasers, ensuring seized weapons are handled through transparent, legally compliant sales.

Maddy summaryHB 1473 creates tax parity for Health Care Sharing Ministries (HCSMs) in Oklahoma by allowing residents to deduct qualifying HCSM expenses from their state income tax. It directly affects Oklahoma residents who are active members of an HCSM for at least one month during the tax year, including self-employed individuals, employees with employer-paid HCSM contributions (treated as tax-free benefits), and those paying for themselves or dependents. The bill establishes a deduction from adjusted gross income for qualifying expenses, requires documentation to claim the deduction, and specifies that funds received from HCSMs for medical costs are tax-free. Penalties include repayment of improperly claimed taxes, $500 fines per offense, and a three-year ineligibility period for fraud. The law takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1017 allows Oklahoma's Medicaid program to cover school-based services that are specifically required for students to access classroom instruction under their Individualized Education Program (IEP). It defines these services as "educationally necessary" (like speech therapy tied to learning goals), excluding standalone medical care such as routine checkups or vaccinations. The bill prohibits the Oklahoma Health Care Authority from covering non-educational health services or broadening the definition of school-based services beyond federal special education rules. This policy change directly affects K-12 students with IEPs and their schools, requiring Medicaid payments only for services directly supporting classroom learning.

Maddy summarySB 735, the "Voter Roll Integrity and Maintenance Act," requires Oklahoma county and state election officials to submit annual reports detailing efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls. County election boards must report by January 15 each year to the state, and the state must submit a statewide report by January 31 to the governor and legislature. These reports must include data on removing non-citizens or ineligible voters, coordination with other agencies, and recommendations for improving voter registration processes. The state must publish the annual report online within 30 days to ensure public transparency, with penalties for late submissions.

Maddy summarySB 771 prohibits Oklahoma pharmaceutical companies from advertising prescription drugs directly to consumers through TV, radio, social media, print, or digital platforms. Violations would be classified as felonies, carrying penalties of up to $500,000 fines or five years in prison per offense. The law includes exceptions for healthcare provider educational materials, public health campaigns (not promoting specific drugs), clinical trial information, and insurance coverage details. It takes effect July 1, 2025, and is declared an emergency. The bill aims to align Oklahoma with global norms by restricting advertising practices linked to rising drug costs and health risks.

Maddy summarySB 801, the Oklahoma Medicine Injury Justice Act, makes pharmaceutical companies directly liable in Oklahoma state courts for harm caused by their products. It allows Oklahoma citizens harmed by pharmaceuticals to seek compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and punitive damages in cases of gross negligence or fraud. The bill explicitly overrides federal immunity protections (like the PREP Act and Vaccine Injury Act) that previously shielded companies from state lawsuits, ensuring these cases are heard in Oklahoma courts without mandatory arbitration. This law directly affects Oklahoma residents injured by pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical companies operating within the state, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1051, the Campaign Expenditure Transparency Act, requires organizations spending money to influence Oklahoma elections (like ads or mailers) to disclose key contact information - such as their top officer and treasurer - within five business days. It bans anonymous spending through fake names, unregistered LLCs, or rented post office boxes, and authorizes the Attorney General to subpoena records to identify hidden entities. The Ethics Commission must maintain a public database of all disclosures, and violations carry civil penalties up to $25,000 or criminal fines up to $10,000, plus reimbursement for state investigation costs. The law aims to increase election transparency by making campaign funders identifiable.

Maddy summarySB 941 requires Oklahoma pharmaceutical manufacturers to publicly disclose detailed ingredient lists for all products, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vaccines, and research items. Manufacturers must list chemical names, origins (human/animal/synthetic), ingredient purposes, quantities, and specific details for mRNA/vaccine technologies like nucleic acid sequences and delivery mechanisms. This information must be submitted to the State Board of Pharmacy, published on manufacturer websites, and included in product labeling. Noncompliance incurs fines up to $250,000 per product per violation, potential sales bans, and allows affected individuals to sue for damages or file class actions. The law takes effect January 1, 2026.