Sen. Brent Howard

Maddy summaryHB 1564, the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act, creates a streamlined court process for civil cases seeking $250,000 or less in monetary relief (excluding interest, damages, and fees). It limits discovery to 180 days, caps depositions at 20 hours total, and restricts written requests to 15 per type. The bill mandates trials within 90 days of discovery completion, allows up to 8 hours per side for trial proceedings (extendable to 12 hours for good cause), and requires alternative dispute resolution within 60 days if agreed upon. The law takes effect November 1, 2025, and applies only to cases meeting the monetary threshold.

Maddy summarySB 1065 increases Oklahoma's cap on non-monetary damages (like pain and suffering) for bodily injury cases from $350,000 to $500,000 per plaintiff. It directly affects plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits and defendants facing liability for bodily harm. The bill removes this cap only when a court finds, by clear evidence, that the defendant acted with reckless disregard, gross negligence, fraud, or intentional malice. It also requires courts to specify in judgments the split between economic damages (like lost wages and medical costs) and noneconomic damages, and prohibits jury instructions about the cap during trials. The changes apply to civil actions filed on or after November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 1118 requires Oklahoma judges (including Supreme Court justices, appellate judges, and district court judges) to retire upon reaching age 75, though they may finish their current term if they choose. The bill mandates that current judges must retire on the bill’s effective date but allows them to complete their existing term. It references existing retirement benefits and prohibits re-election, retention, or appointment of judges who have reached 75. The bill failed in committee on March 27, 2025, with 18 votes in favor and 26 against.

Maddy summarySB 1118 mandates that Oklahoma judges serving on the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, Court of Civil Appeals, or district courts must retire upon reaching age 75, though they may complete their current term if they turn 75 during it. The bill applies directly to these judicial officers and specifies that retired judges will receive retirement benefits as currently provided by law. It requires judges already at age 75 to retire on the bill’s effective date, unless they choose to finish their current term. The legislation also prohibits the election, retention, or appointment of individuals who have reached age 75. (Note: The bill failed to pass with a 18-26 vote on March 27, 2025.)

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Oklahoma's security interest rules under the Uniform Commercial Code. It ensures that security interests (legal claims on property to secure debts) already properly recorded before November 1, 2025, remain valid until an adjustment date if they meet new requirements by then. For security interests that were enforceable but not yet properly recorded before the effective date, the bill allows them to become properly recorded automatically on November 1, 2025, if requirements are met, or when requirements are satisfied afterward. The law provides a clear transition period to prevent disruptions for lenders and borrowers during the implementation of updated rules.

Maddy summaryThe bill's title claims it relates to "unincorporated nonprofit associations," but the actual text describes amendments to Oklahoma's security interest laws under the Uniform Commercial Code. The bill primarily addresses how security interests (like liens on property) are treated during a transition period when new rules take effect on November 1, 2025. It specifies that security interests already perfected before the effective date remain valid until a specified adjustment date, with requirements for maintaining enforceability and perfection. The title appears to be incorrect based on the bill's actual content, which focuses on commercial law procedures, not nonprofit associations.

Maddy summaryHB 2740 amends Oklahoma's individual income tax structure for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. It reduces the top marginal tax rate from 5.50% to 4.75% for all taxable income above specific thresholds, applying to both single filers and married couples filing jointly. The bill establishes new, lower tax brackets: for example, single filers pay 0.25% on the first $1,000, 0.75% on the next $1,500, and 4.75% on all remaining income. This change affects all Oklahoma residents and nonresidents filing state income tax returns, with no federal tax deduction allowed.

Maddy summaryHB 2740 modifies Oklahoma's individual income tax rates for tax years beginning in 2026. It lowers tax brackets for both single filers and married couples filing jointly, introducing new rates such as 0.25% on the first $1,000 of taxable income for singles (0.25% on first $2,000 for married couples) and 4.75% on remaining income for all filers. The bill directly affects all Oklahoma individual taxpayers by reducing their income tax burden compared to prior rates. The changes take effect for tax years starting January 1, 2026, as specified in Section C of the amended statute.

Maddy summarySB 1030, the "340B Drug Pricing Nondiscrimination Act," prohibits health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and third-party payors from discriminating against Oklahoma's 340B drug program participants. It requires equal reimbursement rates for 340B drugs compared to non-340B drugs and bans special fees, billing requirements, or restrictions solely because a provider participates in the federal 340B program. The bill also prevents interference with patients' choice to receive 340B drugs at participating pharmacies and prohibits requiring special billing modifiers for 340B claims unless mandated by federal programs. This directly affects hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies enrolled in the federal 340B program, as well as insurers and pharmacy benefit managers handling their claims.

Maddy summarySB 1030, the "340B Drug Pricing Nondiscrimination Act," prohibits Oklahoma health insurers, pharmacy benefits managers, and third-party payors from discriminating against 340B entities (like community health centers and hospitals participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program). It requires equal payment rates for 340B drugs compared to non-340B drugs, bans extra fees or restrictions solely because an entity uses 340B pricing, and prevents interference with patient choice to receive 340B drugs. The law directly affects 340B-covered entities and their payers, ensuring they are not subject to additional administrative burdens or lower reimbursements due to their participation in the federal program. This bill aims to align Oklahoma’s reimbursement practices with federal 340B program protections.