Sen. Dave Rader

Maddy summarySB 714 prohibits Oklahoma state retirement systems from using public funds to boycott energy companies (defined as actions penalizing fossil fuel companies without a financial reason) or divesting based on environmental, social, or political concerns. It transfers enforcement authority from the State Treasurer to the Attorney General and requires retirement systems to report any exemptions from the law. The bill shields state officials, employees, and contractors from lawsuits or financial liability when complying with its provisions, including claims of fiduciary duty breaches. It directly affects all Oklahoma state retirement systems and their investment decisions regarding energy companies.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases property tax relief eligibility for Oklahoma seniors (65+) and disabled residents. It raises the income limit for qualifying households from $12,000 to $38,000 annually and increases the maximum annual tax relief from $200 to $2,000. Relief is calculated as property taxes paid above 1% of household income, but capped at $2,000 per claim. The changes apply to claims for taxes paid in the prior calendar year and take effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis bill (SB 45) modifies Oklahoma's property tax relief program for seniors and disabled residents. It raises the income eligibility threshold from $12,000 to $38,000 annually for households claiming relief, and increases the maximum annual tax relief amount from $200 to $2,000. Eligible individuals must be 65+ or totally disabled, reside in Oklahoma year-round, and pay property taxes on their primary home. The changes take effect January 1, 2026, directly expanding access to tax relief for low-income seniors and disabled homeowners.

Maddy summarySB 714 prohibits Oklahoma state retirement systems from using retirement funds to boycott fossil fuel companies without a financial reason. It defines "boycott" as actions penalizing energy companies based on environmental or political views rather than financial return, and transfers enforcement to the Attorney General. The law shields state officials from lawsuits for investment decisions made under this rule and blocks private lawsuits challenging retirement fund investments. This directly affects state retirement systems managing public funds, requiring them to prioritize financial returns over political or environmental objections in investment choices.

Maddy summarySB 795 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents with clear information about all state education options before enrolling a student annually. This includes details on school transfers (under the Education Open Transfer Act), private school tax credits (Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Act), charter schools (Oklahoma Charter Schools Act), and scholarships for students with disabilities (Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarship). Schools must post this information on their websites year-round, update it yearly, and keep physical copies available at school offices. The State Department of Education will create a centralized document for all schools to use, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 778 requires the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to develop annual workforce training for all teachers and administrators by August 2026. The training, limited to one hour and accessible online through the State Department of Education platform, must cover Oklahoma's key industries and current workforce shortages, with updates each year. Teachers must complete this training annually starting May 2027, and the State Department of Education must post it online by October 30 each year. The bill aims to align educator knowledge with state workforce needs to better prepare students for career pathways.

Maddy summarySB 795 requires Oklahoma public schools to provide parents or guardians with detailed information about all available education options before enrolling a student annually. This includes transfer options under the Education Open Transfer Act, parental choice tax credits for private schools, charter school opportunities (both virtual and physical), and disability scholarships. Schools must post this information on their websites year-round, update it annually, and make printed copies available at school offices. The State Department of Education will create a central document compiling all required information for school districts. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is designated as an emergency measure.

Maddy summarySB 778 requires the Oklahoma Workforce Commission to create annual online training for all Oklahoma teachers and administrators by August 2026. The training, limited to one hour, must cover key Oklahoma industries, workforce shortages, and updated yearly to reflect current job market needs. Teachers must complete this training annually starting May 2027, with the State Department of Education posting it on its professional learning platform by October 2026. The bill directly affects all K-12 educators in Oklahoma, aiming to align classroom instruction with state workforce demands.

Maddy summarySB 274 requires landlords receiving certain affordable housing tax credits (under federal or Oklahoma law) to implement a criminal history screening policy for tenant applications. It prohibits blanket denials based on criminal records and mandates an individualized review considering factors like the offense's seriousness, time since conviction, rehabilitation efforts, and relevance to tenant behavior. Landlords must provide applicants with the right to submit supporting documentation during this review process. The policy applies to tax credit awards starting January 1, 2026, and the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency will ensure compliance with these requirements.

Maddy summarySB 274 requires landlords receiving certain federal or Oklahoma tax credits for affordable housing to implement a criminal history screening policy in their tenant selection plans. It prohibits blanket denials of housing based on criminal records and mandates individualized reviews considering factors like offense seriousness, time since conviction, rehabilitation efforts, and potential risks. This applies specifically to properties funded through tax credit programs under Section 42 of the Internal Revenue Code or Oklahoma’s Section 2357.403. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency must review these policies for compliance, ensuring decisions are based on specific, case-by-case assessments rather than automatic exclusions.