Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summarySB 326 creates an income tax credit for Oklahoma residents who pay state-required fees to obtain or renew occupational licenses (e.g., for healthcare, construction, or cosmetology). It allows a credit equal to the amount paid for these fees, directly benefiting individuals in licensed professions. To claim the credit, taxpayers must provide documentation to the Oklahoma Tax Commission and cannot have had license suspensions during the tax year. The credit cannot reduce tax liability below zero and applies to tax years starting in 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a constitutional amendment to expand Oklahoma's property tax exemption for veterans. It would extend full exemption from ad valorem taxes on both household personal property (like furniture and vehicles) and homesteads (primary residences) to all honorably discharged veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses - removing the current requirement that veterans must have a 100% service-connected disability. Eligible individuals must prove Oklahoma residency and meet homestead exemption criteria. The amendment, if approved by voters, would take effect for tax years 2026 and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 593 creates new felony offenses in Oklahoma for distributing or possessing certain visual depictions defined as "child sexual abuse material" or "obscene" under updated legal standards. It specifically targets materials showing minors (under 18) in sexually explicit conduct - including computer-generated images or altered photos that appear to depict children - and defines "sexually explicit conduct" to include acts like intercourse, masturbation, or sadomasochism. The bill clarifies that each individual image or depiction constitutes a separate offense and sets penalties for violations. It directly affects anyone distributing or possessing these materials within Oklahoma, with the law applying to both digital and physical formats.

Maddy summarySJR 8 proposes adding a new constitutional right to Oklahoma's state constitution, protecting citizens' ability to grow food and purchase food from any source they choose. If approved by voters, this amendment would prevent future state laws from infringing on this right. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma residents by establishing a constitutional standard for food-related activities. It does not create new laws but requires any existing or future legislation affecting food cultivation or purchasing to comply with this new constitutional provision. The resolution now moves to the Secretary of State for voter approval after committee referral.

Maddy summarySB 154 requires Oklahoma courts to prioritize ordering restitution payments to crime victims when sentencing convicted defendants, making it a mandatory consideration during sentencing. This applies to all cases where a defendant is convicted of a crime without a death sentence, directing courts to arrange restitution payments to victims "to the extent feasible" before other sentencing options. The bill amends existing law (22 O.S. § 991a) to explicitly state this priority, without changing the underlying restitution requirements or financial rates (e.g., 12% interest). It directly affects courts, defendants, and crime victims by ensuring restitution is addressed as a key part of sentencing.

Maddy summarySB 679, the "Property Tax Transparency Act," requires Oklahoma county tax assessors to provide property owners with detailed annual tax bills showing the fair cash value calculation method, assessment ratios, all applicable exemptions, and a clear breakdown of how their taxes are spent (e.g., schools, public safety, infrastructure). It mandates that tax bills be sent directly to property owners - regardless of escrow status - and creates an online platform for owners to access valuation data and protest assessments. The bill also requires annual independent audits of tax assessments, authorizes fines up to $1,000 for non-compliance (with funds allocated to state/county/municipality), and obligates the State Auditor to enforce these rules. This directly affects all Oklahoma property owners and county tax assessors by increasing transparency in how property taxes are calculated and allocated.

Maddy summarySB 659, the "Voter Registration Integrity Act," requires Oklahoma state agencies (like Service Oklahoma) to verify an applicant's U.S. citizenship and Oklahoma residency before providing voter registration materials. Agencies must document and retain these verifications for five years, with violations punishable by fines up to $5,000 or 30 days in jail. The bill mandates annual compliance reports to the State Election Board and establishes oversight to ensure adherence to these verification rules. It directly affects state agencies processing voter registrations and aims to standardize citizenship/residency checks before registration. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1659, the "Promote Child Thriving Act," creates an income tax credit for married biological parents of children under 18. It provides $500 per child for those living at home with married parents, or $1,000 per child if the parents were married before the child's birth. To qualify, parents must be legally married for the entire tax year, reside with the child for at least six months (with exceptions for military deployment or newborns), and be listed as biological parents on the birth certificate. The credit cannot reduce tax liability below zero and may be carried forward for up to 10 years if unused. This policy directly affects married couples raising biological children in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 655, the Oklahoma Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to use the federal E-Verify system to confirm new hires' work authorization within three business days of hiring. Employers must maintain verification records for at least three years and cannot hire individuals whose status fails verification. Violations trigger penalties: $2,500 for first offenses involving one unauthorized worker, increasing to $5,000 for repeat violations, with potential suspension of state contracts for one year. The Oklahoma Attorney General enforces compliance through investigations and can issue fines, though employers may appeal penalties in court.