Sen. Brent Howard

Maddy summaryHB 2163 establishes a Public Access Counselor Unit within Oklahoma's Attorney General's office to handle disputes over public records requests. It allows individuals denied access to public records (excluding requests for commercial purposes) to file a review request within 30 days, with the Counselor issuing binding advice to public bodies within 60 days. Public bodies must comply with this advice or face potential lawsuits, while the Counselor may deny frivolous requests and shield certain communications from disclosure. The bill also permits advisory opinions for public bodies seeking guidance on compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 1563 allows criminal defendants to request specific video and record evidence from businesses and law enforcement agencies related to their case. It permits access to body camera footage, traffic camera videos, incident reports, and sobriety test recordings within a reasonable timeframe before, during, or after the alleged crime. The bill sets clear limits: defendants cannot use this process to obtain witness testimony outside court, and it caps copying fees (max $0.25/page for standard copies, $25 per recording). It also requires businesses to redact sensitive information like juvenile records or ongoing investigations and mandates that subpoenas avoid imposing undue burden on the recipient.

Maddy summarySB 453 creates the "Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act," establishing a streamlined court process for civil cases seeking $250,000 or less in monetary relief (excluding interest, penalties, and attorney fees). It directly affects plaintiffs and defendants in small civil claims by imposing strict limits: discovery must conclude within 180 days, parties may submit only 15 written interrogatories or requests for production, and trials must occur within 90 days after discovery ends. The bill also caps trial time at eight hours per side for jury trials and requires cases to be resolved faster than standard civil procedures. This aims to reduce delays and costs in lower-value disputes while maintaining clear procedural boundaries.

Maddy summarySB 626, the Security Breach Notification Act, requires businesses to notify Oklahomans when specific personal data used to verify identity (like Social Security numbers or account credentials) is compromised in a security breach. This law directly affects businesses and organizations that collect or store such identifying information, including credit bureaus, healthcare providers, and financial institutions. The key provision clarifies that notifications are mandated only when data enabling authentication of an individual is breached, not for all types of data. The law became effective on May 28, 2025, without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 626, the Security Breach Notification Act, requires businesses to notify Oklahomans when a security breach exposes certain personal data used to verify an individual's identity (like login credentials or ID numbers). This law directly affects companies handling consumer data in Oklahoma, mandating timely disclosure after a breach involving authentication data. The key provision narrows the required notification to breaches of information specifically used for authenticating a person’s identity, rather than broader personal data. It became law on May 28, 2025, without a governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 453 creates the Oklahoma Expedited Actions Act, establishing a new court process for certain civil lawsuits in Oklahoma. It directly affects individuals and businesses involved in civil cases seeking faster resolution, such as contract disputes or property claims under specific dollar thresholds. The bill sets clear rules for when this expedited process applies, including strict timelines for filing, responses, and hearings to speed up case resolution. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 27, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1032 creates a legal defense for bars, restaurants, and other licensed alcohol establishments in Oklahoma when employees violate alcohol service laws (e.g., serving minors, intoxicated people, or those with mental deficiencies). To qualify for this defense, businesses must require all employees to hold valid ABLE Commission licenses, complete mandatory seller-server training within 14 days of hire (and every two years after), adopt written policies prohibiting such sales, and obtain written employee acknowledgment of these policies. If an employee lacks a valid license, the business is automatically liable. The ABLE Commission can rebut the defense by proving an employee committed similar violations three times within a year, shifting the burden to the business to demonstrate compliance. The law takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1032 creates a new legal defense for Oklahoma alcohol license holders (like bars and restaurants) when employees violate beverage laws. It allows these businesses to avoid penalties if they prove they required all employees to have valid ABLE Commission licenses and seller-server training certificates, maintained written policies prohibiting sales to minors/intoxicated people, and ensured employees acknowledged these policies. The bill also establishes a "rebuttable presumption" that a business indirectly encouraged violations if an employee commits the same offense three times within a year, shifting the burden of proof to the business at hearings. This law directly affects licensed establishments by changing how they can defend against enforcement actions related to employee misconduct.

Maddy summarySB 893, the Military Installation and Critical Infrastructure Protection Act of 2025, prohibits foreign governments and companies from China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea (designated as "foreign adversaries") from owning or acquiring agricultural land or property near military bases in Oklahoma. It requires owners of such property near military installations to sell or divest within a specified timeframe and mandates registration for foreign entities seeking to operate critical infrastructure. The bill defines "critical infrastructure" broadly to include energy, water, telecommunications, transportation systems, and cybersecurity assets, and prohibits foreign adversaries from entering agreements involving these systems. It also creates penalties for noncompliance and grants the Attorney General authority to enforce these provisions.

Maddy summaryHB 1850 establishes Oklahoma's Uniform Trust Code, replacing the state's patchwork trust laws with a standardized set of rules. It directly affects anyone creating, managing, or benefiting from trusts in Oklahoma - including trustees, beneficiaries, and settlors (those who create trusts). Key provisions define trust terms, clarify trustee duties (like prudently managing assets and avoiding conflicts), set rules for beneficiary rights, and outline procedures for modifying or terminating trusts. The code also addresses creditor claims against settlors and provides uniform rules for revocable trusts and charitable trusts. This law took effect immediately upon the Governor's approval on May 21, 2025.