Sen. John Haste

Maddy summaryHB 1522 requires Oklahoma school districts to create and publicly post policies by January 1, 2022, defining how many transfer students they can accept per grade level at each school site. It limits students to two inter-district transfers per school year (except for those returning to their home district), allows automatic approval if a student’s home district doesn’t offer their grade level, and prohibits transfers based on unexcused absences (ten or more in a semester). Parents can appeal denials first to the district board and then to the State Board of Education if policies weren’t followed. The bill directly affects students seeking to transfer schools, their families, and school districts managing enrollment capacity.

Maddy summaryHB 1522 would require Oklahoma school districts to establish and publicly post annual capacity limits for student transfers by grade level and school site. It specifies that transfers may be denied only for excessive unexcused absences (10+ in a semester) or violations listed in Section 24-101.3, and mandates a two-step appeal process for denied requests. The bill directly affects students seeking to transfer between districts, particularly those with attendance issues or attempting multiple transfers, while requiring districts to report transfer data to the state education department. It does not address the "state student record system" mentioned in its title, focusing solely on transfer policies and appeals.

Maddy summaryHB 1961 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program to provide one-time financial assistance to private, public, or nonprofit entities within Oklahoma. The program requires applicants to secure 40% matching funds, provide industry support documentation, and submit project proposals detailing testing capabilities, timelines, and budgets. A revolving fund in the State Treasury, financed through state appropriations and donations, will administer the grants, with recipients required to submit quarterly progress reports. The bill amends Oklahoma law to establish this program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1961 creates the Oklahoma Aircraft and Rocket Engine Testing Development Grant Program to provide financial assistance for expanding aerospace testing infrastructure. It directly affects private, public, and nonprofit entities in Oklahoma that can secure 40% matching funds and demonstrate industry support for projects. The program establishes a revolving fund in the state treasury for grant disbursement, requiring quarterly progress reports and repayment if terms aren't met. The bill amends existing statutes to formalize this grant program, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1025, titled the Oklahoma Rebate Pass-Through and Pharmacy Benefits Manager Meaningful Transparency Act of 2025, requires pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose their "aggregate retained rebate percentage" - the portion of drug rebates they retain instead of passing to health plans. It directly affects PBMs and covered entities like insurers, hospitals, and employers providing health coverage in Oklahoma. Key provisions mandate PBMs to calculate and report this percentage annually, define terms for transparency, establish cost-sharing rules, and create penalties for noncompliance. The bill aims to increase clarity around how drug rebates flow through the system, without altering health plan benefits or formulary requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1025 creates the Oklahoma Rebate Pass-Through and Pharmacy Benefits Manager Meaningful Transparency Act of 2025, requiring pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) to disclose how much of drug rebates they retain rather than passing to health plans. It directly affects PBMs, health insurers, and health plans by mandating transparency around rebate calculations and requiring PBMs to pass through rebates to health plan clients. Key provisions include defining "aggregate retained rebate percentage," establishing cost-sharing rules, and creating penalties for noncompliance. The bill amends existing Oklahoma statutes to clarify PBM licensing, formulary requirements, and disclosure obligations, aiming to increase transparency in prescription drug pricing.

Maddy summarySB 185 creates the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee assistance to Oklahoma residents pursuing bachelor's or master's degrees in engineering, land surveying, or accounting at Oklahoma colleges. To qualify, students must apply, maintain a 2.0 GPA, and agree to work for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) for five years after graduation. If they fail to complete the five-year commitment, they must repay the assistance, with funds deposited into a dedicated revolving fund. The program is funded through state appropriations and repayments, with assistance limited to required coursework for eligible degrees.

Maddy summarySB 185 creates the Oklahoma Department of Transportation Educational Assistance Program, providing tuition and fee assistance to Oklahoma residents pursuing eligible degrees in engineering, land surveying, or accounting at Oklahoma higher education institutions. To qualify, students must apply, agree to work for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation in an eligible profession for five years after graduation, and enroll in programs leading to a baccalaureate or master’s degree. The program covers resident tuition, mandatory fees, and academic service fees for up to 18 credit hours per semester, but only for courses required to complete the degree and subject to available funding. Assistance does not cover excess coursework, and students who fail to fulfill the work commitment must repay funds into a dedicated revolving fund.

Maddy summarySB 236 creates a tax credit for Oklahoma employers in the aerospace and defense sector that must meet U.S. Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements (CMMC). It allows qualifying businesses (with 5-200 employees not yet CMMC-compliant as of 2026) to claim a 50% credit on wages and expenses incurred while achieving initial CMMC compliance, capped at $50,000 total per business through 2031. The credit cannot reduce tax below zero, may be carried forward for up to five years, and is limited to $10 million annually across all businesses. This bill directly affects Oklahoma aerospace/defense employers seeking federal contracts requiring CMMC certification.

Maddy summarySB 576 allows the Oklahoma State University Medical Authority to hold meetings via videoconference (virtual meetings) under specific conditions. The bill requires that virtual meetings be recorded, and that meeting notices and agendas must include videoconferencing locations, addresses, phone numbers, and a website for public viewing. It also mandates that agendas specify which members will join remotely versus in person. This change directly affects the Authority's eight-member board and administrative operations, aiming to improve meeting flexibility while maintaining public transparency. The bill does not alter the Authority's membership, duties, or other substantive functions.