Sen. Carri Hicks

Maddy summarySB 2139 requires Oklahoma municipalities to amend property plats to remove discriminatory language (such as racial or religious restrictions) that violate the Fair Housing Act. It directs county clerks to erase such language from existing property records after a municipality passes an ordinance, without needing property owner approval. The bill affects neighborhoods with outdated discriminatory covenants in their recorded plats. It becomes effective November 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 3016 requires Oklahoma schools to provide binocular vision screenings for students in kindergarten, first, and third grades to identify convergence insufficiency (a vision disorder affecting near focus). Screenings, conducted within 30 days of the school year start by trained school nurses or vision professionals, must be performed in addition to existing vision screenings. The bill establishes a Binocular Screening Revolving Fund in the state treasury to cover program costs using state appropriations, which must supplement - rather than replace - current school vision funding. The program begins in the 2026-2027 school year.

Maddy summarySB 1636 creates a formal process for reviewing cold cases at the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI). It defines "cold cases" as violent crimes with exhausted leads and unidentified perpetrators, and establishes that immediate family members can request a "case file review" of these cases. The bill requires the OSBI to complete reviews within 60 days (with possible 30-day extensions), mandates coordination with law enforcement, and sets specific criteria for when reviews can be initiated. This procedural bill directly affects families of cold case victims by providing a structured way to seek updates on unresolved investigations.

Maddy summarySB 1427 requires all Oklahoma children to be screened for type 1 diabetes during routine checkups at ages 5 and 12 by their primary care providers, using accepted medical practices. The bill mandates that these screenings be reimbursed through Oklahoma's Medicaid program (pending federal approval) and directs the State Department of Health to seek additional funding to support the screenings. The Oklahoma Health Care Authority Board and State Commissioner of Health must create implementing rules for reimbursement and screening protocols. This law applies to all children in Oklahoma and takes effect November 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 1405 reauthorizes a voluntary tax checkoff on Oklahoma state income tax returns, allowing taxpayers to donate a portion of their refund to the Wildlife Diversity Fund. The fund, managed by the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission, supports conservation efforts for nongame wildlife (species not classified as game or furbearer). Taxpayers who donate by mistake can request a refund within three years, and the reauthorized checkoff takes effect January 1, 2027. This bill updates statutory language to maintain the existing donation mechanism without altering its core purpose.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution officially designates the week of May 4 through 8, 2026, as Teacher Appreciation Week in Oklahoma. The measure honors the state's approximately 42,556 educators who teach over 686,000 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. By issuing this formal recognition, the bill acknowledges the significant contributions teachers make to student development and the education system. The resolution does not alter laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the profession.

Maddy summaryHB 3420 requires Oklahoma state agencies to justify why they bypass competitive bidding for certain contracts, limiting such justifications to a maximum of 12 months. It modifies exemptions for professional services, clarifying when agencies can skip bidding without full competitive processes. The bill affects state agencies purchasing goods or services and vendors seeking state contracts by tightening procurement rules under the Oklahoma Central Purchasing Act. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure fair competition in state spending.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and designates April 29, 2026, as Denim Day in Oklahoma. The bill encourages people to wear jeans on that day to symbolize that clothing does not invite harassment, abuse, assault, or rape. It also directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to the YWCA to support their educational efforts. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about sexual violence rather than creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Oklahoma women's historical contributions and designating March as Women's History Month in Oklahoma. It formally applauds Oklahoma women's achievements in areas like politics, civil rights, science, and the arts, citing figures such as Kate Barnard and Shannon Lucid. The resolution directs that a copy be distributed to the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women. As a symbolic gesture with no new laws or funding, it does not directly affect residents or change policy.

Maddy summarySB 1292 creates the Oklahoma High Dosage Tutoring Program to provide intensive reading tutoring for prekindergarten through third-grade students. The program requires school districts to offer in-person tutoring (three one-hour sessions weekly for 10-12 weeks per semester) and prioritize districts federally designated for improvement under the Every Student Succeeds Act. Tutors earn bonuses of $1,600 per cohort per semester and $1,000 per grade level of reading growth achieved by students, with eligibility tied to students improving at least half a grade level in reading annually. Parental consent is required for student participation, and students may be removed from the program under specific circumstances like non-attendance or parental withdrawal. The program becomes effective July 1, 2026.