Sen. Adam Pugh

Maddy summaryHB 1776, the "United States and Oklahoma Flag Display Rights Act of 2025," prohibits state and local government entities from banning the display of the U.S. or Oklahoma flag on their property. It specifically allows individuals to display either flag from their vehicle (including motorcycles) or handheld, provided the flag is displayed respectfully, unaltered, and without defacement. The law applies to all government-owned or -occupied property, such as parks, buildings, or public spaces. It does not restrict how governments display flags themselves, only prevents them from prohibiting private displays under these conditions.

Maddy summarySB 699 would require Oklahoma school districts to request a due process hearing within 10 business days before the State Board of Education changes a school's accreditation status (e.g., placing it on probation or revoking accreditation). The bill amends accreditation standards to mandate this hearing opportunity after the State Department of Education identifies compliance issues, with districts receiving notice by certified mail. Failure to request a hearing within the 10-day window would be considered a waiver of the right to one. This change applies to all public schools facing potential accreditation action under current law. The bill is pending in the Oklahoma Senate as of February 2025.

Maddy summarySB 707 changes Oklahoma's school accreditation system by requiring evaluations of entire school districts every four years instead of annually. It shifts accreditation focus from individual schools to districts, mandates reporting on counselor staffing ratios, and specifies that districts failing accreditation must close or merge with accredited districts. The bill also updates standards to include oversight of specialized educational programs and removes annual evaluation requirements for most districts. These changes aim to streamline accountability while maintaining standards for school quality.

Maddy summarySB 699 gives Oklahoma school districts the right to request a due process hearing before the State Board of Education changes a school's accreditation status (e.g., to "deficiencies," "probation," or "nonaccredited"). It requires the State Board to adopt formal hearing procedures and mandates that school districts receive written notice by certified mail, with a 10-business-day window to request a hearing. Failure to request a hearing within that timeframe is treated as a waiver of the right to one. This bill directly affects public school districts facing potential accreditation changes under existing state standards.

Maddy summarySB 707 changes Oklahoma's school accreditation process by shifting evaluations from individual schools to entire school districts. It requires district-level accreditation reviews every four years instead of annually, with annual reviews only for districts that receive accreditation deficiencies. The bill updates procedures for handling accreditation failures, including potential closure of districts that don't meet standards after a 90-day correction period. This directly affects all Oklahoma public school districts and their students, as it alters how compliance is measured and enforced.

Maddy summarySB 709 changes how Oklahoma school districts fill vacancies on their boards of education. It eliminates the option for boards to appoint members to fill vacancies, requiring all vacancies to be filled solely through elections instead. The bill establishes a special election process with a 10-day filing window for candidates after a vacancy is declared, and specifies that special elections must occur on dates set by law. This affects all public school districts and technology center school districts in Oklahoma, directly changing how they handle empty board seats. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 240 modifies Oklahoma's school funding formula by increasing the percentage of state education funds retained for midyear adjustments from 1.5% to 4%. It updates how State Aid is calculated using actual tax collections, adjusted assessed valuation, and weighted average daily membership (ADM) from the previous year. The bill affects all Oklahoma public school districts by changing their allocation method and removing outdated provisions related to tax calculations and reporting requirements. These changes aim to improve the accuracy of funding distributions while streamlining administrative processes.

Maddy summarySB 709 changes how Oklahoma school districts fill vacancies on school board elections. It replaces the previous option for boards to appoint members to fill vacancies with a requirement for special elections. The bill sets specific deadlines: candidates must file for special elections within 10 days of a vacancy being declared, and boards must fill vacancies within 60 days (or hold a special election if they miss the deadline). This affects all Oklahoma public school districts and technology center school districts, directly impacting how they handle unexpired board terms.

Maddy summarySB 240 modifies Oklahoma's school funding formula by changing how state aid is calculated for school districts. It uses the previous year's adjusted property valuation and weighted average daily membership (ADM) instead of current-year data to determine allocations. The bill requires school districts to retain a higher percentage of certain funds they receive. It also removes outdated reporting requirements related to tax calculations and student identification systems. This directly affects all public school districts in Oklahoma through revised funding calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 1936 increases Oklahoma's State Board of Education membership from seven to eleven members and modifies appointment rules. It requires six members appointed by the Governor (one per congressional district and one statewide), two by the House Speaker (a rural resident and a former small-district superintendent), and two by the Senate President (a rural resident and a former large-district superintendent). The bill also adds eligibility requirements: members must have a high school diploma or equivalent, cannot serve on a local school board, and must complete mandatory training without fees. The changes take effect January 25, 2027, terminating current terms and requiring new appointments within 30 days.