Sen. Aaron Reinhardt

Maddy summarySB 1894 removes a 150-hour cap on required professional development for Oklahoma certified teachers over any five-year period, directly affecting all teachers in public school districts. The bill maintains existing mandatory trainings on autism, dyslexia, child abuse recognition, and racial/ethnic education but eliminates the previous limit on total hours. It also requires school districts to electronically submit annual reports to the State Department of Education detailing professional development activities, costs, and outcomes. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and was declared an emergency to take immediate effect upon approval.

Maddy summarySB 1859 creates a Cyber Crime and Fraud Unit within Oklahoma's State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to enhance investigations into cyber-enabled crimes (like ransomware and digital extortion), financial fraud (including identity theft), and digital evidence handling. The bill establishes a revolving fund with a $3 million appropriation from the General Revenue Fund for fiscal 2026, allowing the unit to operate without annual budget constraints. The unit can only investigate upon requests from local law enforcement, Governor direction, or under existing statutes - explicitly stating it does not expand OSBI's jurisdiction. It will provide technical support, training to law enforcement, and coordinate with federal and tribal partners on cybercrime cases.

Maddy summarySB 1061 modifies Oklahoma's mortgage licensing fees under the Oklahoma Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act. It establishes a $1,200 application fee for mortgage brokers and lenders, and sets a $1,000 annual renewal fee for brokers/lenders, with mortgage lender fees calculated as 0.008% of loan volume (originated/serviced in Oklahoma) capped at $40,000 annually for originations and $17,500-$27,500 for servicing. These fees affect mortgage brokers, lenders, and originators operating in Oklahoma, requiring them to pay based on business scale. The bill takes effect November 1, 2024, with revised caps for 2025 and 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3521, the Oklahoma Money Transmission Modernization Act, replaces outdated state laws governing businesses that send or receive money transfers (like digital payment apps or money orders). It establishes new licensing requirements, including financial statements, surety bonds, and net worth standards, while defining key terms like "authorized delegate" for businesses operating under licensees. The bill creates penalties for violations, including a Class D1 felony charge for intentionally making false statements or operating without a license, and grants the Banking Commissioner expanded authority to enforce rules and conduct examinations. This directly affects money transmission companies, their delegates, and the Banking Commissioner’s oversight role in Oklahoma.

Maddy summarySB 1670 requires Oklahoma public universities to adopt a new policy for research partnerships with private businesses, directing the Oklahoma State Regents to create a model policy that includes a tiered ownership system for technology developed through these partnerships. This tiered system bases ownership stakes and inventor compensation on the revenue generated from new technology, ensuring inventors receive competitive pay compared to other institutions. The policy also mandates universities to encourage development in specific areas like medical, biotech, and energy technology, while tracking related expenses and financial relationships. All policies must be reviewed every seven years to maintain competitiveness.

Maddy summarySB 1920 increases the threshold for requiring title return from 60% to 70% of a vehicle's fair market value when repair costs exceed that amount. It affects vehicle owners and insurance companies: if repair costs for safe highway operation surpass 70% of fair market value, owners must return the title to Service Oklahoma within 30 days, triggering a salvage title process. The bill requires special title markings for flood-damaged or recovered theft vehicles and outlines procedures for obtaining rebuilt titles after repairs, including visual inspections and documentation requirements. This amendment updates Oklahoma's motor vehicle insurance code (47 O.S. § 1111) to adjust the point at which vehicles are classified as salvage.

Maddy summarySB 1555 updates Oklahoma's Medicaid definitions for "individual with intellectual disability" and "developmental disability" to align with current standards. It raises the age for disability manifestation from 18 to 22 years, refines IQ criteria (e.g., requiring scores below 70 or 71-75 with specific scoring), and revises adaptive skill areas to match Social Security Administration guidelines for daily living skills. These changes directly affect Medicaid eligibility for individuals seeking home- and community-based services under Oklahoma Statutes §1406-1424. The bill ensures existing Medicaid recipients as of September 1, 1991, remain eligible, and the Department of Human Services may expand services for underserved individuals within available resources. The updated definitions take effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3498 modernizes Oklahoma's corporate law framework by updating and clarifying the Oklahoma General Corporation Act and Oklahoma Limited Liability Company Act. It directly affects all corporations and limited liability companies operating in Oklahoma, including their boards, officers, and shareholders. Key changes include clarifying rules for contracts with beneficial owners, strengthening fiduciary duty standards for controlling shareholders, updating procedures for stock issuance and corporate meetings, and organizing outdated references into a single, accessible code. The bill also adjusts terminology and jurisdictional references to align with current legal practices.

Maddy summaryHB 3781 shortens the time insurers must file property and casualty insurance rates with Oklahoma's Insurance Commissioner. In competitive markets, insurers must now file rates 30 days before the effective date (down from 60 days), and in noncompetitive markets, 60 days before (down from 90 days). The bill requires insurers to specify the effective date in filings and allows the Commissioner to extend review periods by up to 30 days if additional information is needed. This change affects all property and casualty insurers operating in Oklahoma.

Maddy summaryHB 4275 standardizes certification rules for two mental health roles in Oklahoma: behavioral health case managers and peer recovery support specialists. It requires the Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to establish uniform education, exam, supervision, and continuing education standards for these professionals. The bill applies to individuals employed by state/local governments, contracted service providers, tribal facilities, or VA facilities, and restricts certified titles to these specific employment settings. Certification fees are capped at $100, and failure to comply with rules may result in suspension or revocation. The law takes effect November 1, 2026.