Sen. Dave Rader

Maddy summarySB 972 amends Oklahoma property law to prevent adverse possession claims (title by prescription) when the actual property owner has paid all taxes during the disputed period. It directly affects property owners who pay their taxes and potential adverse possessors (people claiming land they've occupied without permission). The key provision states that if the owner paid all taxes due while the adverse possessor occupied the land, the possessor cannot establish legal title. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 783 prohibits Oklahoma employers from requiring employees or potential employees to sign confidentiality agreements about workplace sexual harassment as a condition of employment. The bill defines sexual harassment broadly to include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for favors, or other unwanted sexual conduct. Employees who face violations can file a lawsuit in their local court within six months of the incident. The law, set to take effect November 1, 2025, creates a new section (173.4) in Oklahoma’s labor code.

Maddy summarySB 749, the Oklahoma Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act, requires Oklahoma public colleges and universities to publish syllabi online by the seventh business day of each semester. It mandates that syllabi include course titles, instructors, required materials, and recent student grades. The bill prohibits schools from favoring or restricting student groups or speakers based on viewpoint, race, or political affiliation, while defining "divisive concepts" (like claims of inherent racial superiority) that institutions must avoid. It also requires schools to report student outcomes data to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education starting in 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryHB 1171 would limit Oklahoma's sales tax exemption for nonprofits to those with gross revenues under $1 million annually, while maintaining exemptions for alcohol and tobacco sales. This directly affects qualifying nonprofits like charities, religious organizations, schools, and libraries that currently receive tax exemptions but exceed the new revenue threshold. The bill amends Oklahoma Statutes § 1356 to add this revenue cap as a new eligibility requirement for tax-exempt status. Nonprofits surpassing $1 million in annual gross revenue would lose their exemption under this provision.

Maddy summarySB 733 sets strict deadlines for prosecutors to file criminal charges: within 5 business days for most counties, or 10 days for counties with over 500,000 residents. The state may request extensions if they show "good cause," but if deadlines pass, arrested people held in custody can automatically request release without bail (on their own recognizance). The bill directly affects individuals arrested and held in custody in Oklahoma criminal cases, ensuring they cannot be detained indefinitely without formal charges. It modifies existing law to prioritize timely prosecution and prevent prolonged pretrial detention.

Maddy summarySB 271 creates Oklahoma's first dedicated PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) regulatory framework. It exempts specific entities - like public water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, fire departments using AFFF firefighting foam, and airports - from civil liability for PFAS releases, unless they violated environmental rules or acted with gross negligence. The bill also requires the Environmental Quality Board to establish rules for PFAS waste handling, including proof that disposal methods protect health and the environment, and mandates a fee schedule for certain waste activities. This law directly affects facilities managing PFAS-containing waste, such as fire stations and wastewater plants, and takes effect immediately under an emergency declaration.

Maddy summarySB 232 amends Oklahoma's sales tax law to exempt certain film production costs and the construction of qualified media production facilities from sales tax. This directly benefits film and media production companies in Oklahoma by reducing their tax burden on eligible purchases for production activities and facility construction. Key provisions include requiring local governments to nominate qualifying locations, limiting the exemption to a specific timeframe, and capping the number of facilities that can qualify for the exemption. The Oklahoma Film and Music Office will administer the program, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission must be notified upon facility approval.

Maddy summarySB 302 creates the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Legacy Fund, funded by state surplus and specific appropriations ($563.6 million for 2023 and $759.4 million for 2024), to support higher wages for law enforcement officers. The State Treasurer will invest the fund following retirement fund guidelines (requiring diversification to minimize risk) and must transfer $100 million increments to the General Revenue Fund whenever the fund's value increases by $100 million or more in a fiscal year. The fund must maintain sufficient liquid assets for these transfers, and the Treasurer will publish annual reports on the fund's value and growth. This bill directly affects Oklahoma law enforcement officers through guaranteed wage increases funded by state savings.

Maddy summarySB 276 modifies Oklahoma law regarding county law library funding. It requires counties with under 500,000 residents to automatically transmit excess law library funds (over 25% of annual income) to the State Judicial Revolving Fund each August. For counties with 500,000+ residents, the board of trustees must vote annually on whether to retain or transfer such excess funds. The bill also sets specific annual transfers from county court funds to law libraries based on population: $5,000 for counties under 10,000 residents, $7,000 for 10,000-30,000 residents, and $9,000 for 30,000-500,000 residents. These changes affect all Oklahoma county law libraries and their governing boards.

Maddy summarySB 115 amends Oklahoma's limited liability company (LLC) law to clarify the process for LLCs that lost good standing due to missed annual filings or fees. It requires LLCs seeking reinstatement to file all overdue documents, pay outstanding fees, and submit a specific application to the Secretary of State. The bill ensures reinstatement retroactively restores the LLC's legal status as if it had never lost good standing, preserving its property rights and legal defenses. This directly affects Oklahoma LLCs that fell behind on annual requirements but wish to resume operations without losing their legal protections.