Sen. Dave Rader

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes the Oklahoma PFAS Act to create a regulatory framework for managing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. It requires the Department of Environmental Quality to develop rules for handling PFAS waste and sets up a fee schedule for its disposal. The legislation also defines specific liability protections for certain entities, such as water systems and airports, provided they manage these materials according to legal standards and without gross negligence.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Oklahoma's sales tax laws to provide specific exemptions for certain nonprofit organizations and public entities. It clarifies and expands the list of groups that can sell goods or services without paying sales tax, including churches, accredited schools, and various state agencies involved in public construction projects. The legislation also outlines strict requirements for these entities to qualify, such as ensuring sales are not conducted for profit and that proceeds are used for charitable or educational purposes. Additionally, it establishes penalties for individuals who falsely certify that purchases are made on behalf of exempt government agencies.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires organizations receiving funding from Oklahoma's Rural Economic Action Plan to create a strategy for measuring the non-financial impacts of their funded projects. The plan may include surveys or inquiries directed at the public and local governments to assess these qualitative effects. Entities must submit a report to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce by January 1, 2027, detailing the results of this assessment for at least two funded projects. The costs associated with developing the plan and producing the report must be paid using specific initial planning funds authorized by existing state law.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts eligibility for state tuition aid grants for incarcerated individuals by prohibiting awards to those currently in correctional facilities who are enrolled in programs primarily focused on virtual learning. Additionally, it limits grant eligibility to incarcerated people who are within five years of their expected release date. These changes directly affect inmates seeking financial assistance for education while serving their sentences and the administrators of state-funded tuition programs. The legislation aims to narrow the scope of who can receive these grants while incarcerated, emphasizing proximity to release and the format of the educational program.

Maddy summaryHB 3618, known as the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2024, establishes new legal procedures for perfecting security interests on motor vehicles in Oklahoma. The bill specifically creates an exception for certificate of title transfers, requiring that notices be provided to ensure these transactions are properly recorded. This legislation directly affects lenders, dealers, and individuals involved in vehicle financing and title transfers by updating how these financial interests are documented. The law is set to take effect on November 1, 2024, and is not intended to be added to the permanent Oklahoma Statutes.

Maddy summaryThis bill grants the Oklahoma Corporation Commission exclusive authority to regulate specific injection wells, including those used for carbon dioxide sequestration under the state's Carbon Capture and Geologic Sequestration Act. It establishes a formal application and hearing process for Class VI facilities, which are designed for storing carbon dioxide underground, and creates a revolving fund to support these operations. Additionally, the legislation clarifies the commission's jurisdiction over various oil and gas activities, such as pipeline construction and waste handling, while outlining procedures for unitizing pore space and issuing completion certificates for qualifying facilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates how Oklahoma counties fund their law libraries and adjusts the flat fees charged for filing civil court cases. It establishes specific annual transfer amounts from county court funds to the Law Library Fund based on population size, ranging from $5,000 for smaller counties to $10,000 for the largest ones. Additionally, the legislation sets new fixed fees for various civil proceedings, such as divorce and probate cases, and directs portions of these fees to support the law library, court information systems, and interpreter services. The bill also includes a provision allowing individuals who cannot afford these fees to file for in forma pauperis status to avoid payment. Although the bill passed the legislature, it was vetoed by the Governor on May 15, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma law directs the state's Corporation Commission to work with the Southwest Power Pool, a regional electricity grid operator, to produce a detailed report on their relationship. The report must analyze how the Power Pool's decisions affect Oklahoma's electricity costs, budget, and industries, while also examining the transmission of power generated in the state to other regions. Commission officials are required to finish this assessment by December 31, 2024, and send the final findings to the Governor, state legislators, and committee chairs. The bill includes an emergency clause to ensure the law takes effect immediately upon signing.