Sen. Dusty Deevers

Maddy summaryHB 3039, the "In the Child's Best Interest Act," requires that all approved adoption, foster care, and legal guardianship arrangements in Oklahoma consist of either one adult, two adults of opposite genders, or two biological relatives of the child. The bill mandates that courts and agencies invalidate any arrangement violating these rules, directing the Department of Human Services to find a compliant placement for the child, with preference given to the closest biological relatives who pass background checks. It allows other adults (like grandparents or friends) to assist in care without altering the official arrangement. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3725, the Oklahoma Workforce Protection Act, requires most Oklahoma employers to verify the immigration status of new hires using an electronic system like federal E-Verify. It applies to businesses with employees (excluding independent contractors, returning seasonal workers within 12 months of original verification, and non-employees) and mandates compliance within 90 days for large employers (50+ staff) or 180 days for smaller businesses after a state online portal is launched. Employers who fail to comply face fines of $100-$500 per violation, with higher penalties for repeated offenses, though fines are waived if systems are implemented within the grace periods. The Oklahoma Department of Labor must create an online portal for employer resources and publish annual reports on compliance rates and enforcement actions.

Maddy summarySB 2073, the "Hire Oklahomans Act," prohibits all Oklahoma state entities (including agencies, universities, and local governments) from hiring or renewing employment for individuals under H-1B visas or Optional Practical Training (OPT) programs. The law applies only to new hires or contract renewals starting July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing employment agreements. It aims to prioritize public employment opportunities for Oklahoma residents by restricting state-funded positions to individuals not relying on these specific federal visa programs. The bill explicitly states that state employment funded by Oklahoma taxpayers is a matter of state sovereignty, separate from federal immigration authority.

Maddy summarySB 2090 modifies Oklahoma's concealed carry laws by expanding where licensed gun owners may carry firearms. It removes requirements for written consent in certain locations, allows concealed carry in school parking lots (with firearms stored out of sight when unattended), and permits concealed carry in public parks, zoos, and recreational areas. The bill also creates exceptions for private schools that adopt policies allowing weapons and for designated school personnel with specific security licenses. It prohibits denying entry to licensed carriers on properties where carry is permitted and clarifies liability protections for schools that adopt such policies. The law does not change open carry rules or apply to places already explicitly prohibited by law.

Maddy summarySB 1951, the RESTORE Act, establishes a framework to improve access to restorative reproductive medicine (RRM) for Oklahomans with reproductive health conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and infertility. It requires the State Department of Health to collect data on these conditions, mandate healthcare facilities to provide specific RRM services, and allocate funds for related programs and provider training. The bill defines RRM as approaches that restore natural reproductive physiology rather than suppress or bypass it, distinguishing it from assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. It directly affects patients with diagnosed reproductive conditions and healthcare providers by setting new service, data, and training requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1856 requires Oklahoma to automatically reduce the top individual income tax rate if state tax collections exceed the previous year's total by a specified threshold. It directly affects all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents who pay state income tax, as it triggers rate reductions based on certified excess collections. The bill amends tax code provisions to establish clear calculation methods for determining when and by how much the top marginal tax rate must decrease. This creates a concrete, automatic policy change tied to actual tax revenue performance, rather than legislative action.

Maddy summarySB 2098 requires Oklahoma birth certificates to list both parents' citizenship status and the child's citizenship designation from four options: U.S. citizenship, Oklahoma citizenship, tribal citizenship, or foreign national status. It specifically prohibits granting U.S. or Oklahoma citizenship to children born to parents who are neither U.S. citizens nor legal residents, mandating only "foreign national" as the child's designation. The bill directly affects newborns in Oklahoma whose parents lack U.S. citizenship or residency status. If enacted, it would change how citizenship is documented on birth certificates for these children, excluding them from automatic U.S. citizenship under federal law.

Maddy summarySB 1789, the "Local Teacher Licensure Act," allows Oklahoma school district boards of education to evaluate and recommend teacher licensure or certification applications directly to the State Board of Education. School districts must submit complete applications with required documentation, and the State Board must approve or reject recommendations within 30 days or the license is automatically approved. Teacher licenses issued under this law are valid for five years and follow standard renewal procedures. The bill requires school districts to establish clear timelines for applicants (minimum 20 days) and decisions (30 days), while maintaining state oversight for final approval.

Maddy summarySB 2076 prohibits Oklahoma state contracts and tax incentives for companies using H-1B visas or optional practical training for jobs physically performed within Oklahoma. It applies only to Oklahoma-based work, not companies' out-of-state operations. Companies must certify compliance under penalty of perjury, and exceptions require a legislative waiver approved by both chambers. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not affect existing contracts or out-of-state activities.

Maddy summarySB 2056 increases the fee for money transmission services (like mobile payments) from $5 to $10 per transaction under $500, plus 1-3% on amounts over $500. It creates a tax credit allowing individuals and businesses to claim back these fees when filing income taxes for tax years 2009-2010, with claims due by 2010. The bill modifies the tax credit rules to specify eligibility and carryover periods, and directs fee revenue to a Drug Money Laundering fund. It takes effect November 1, 2026.