Maddy summaryThis bill officially renames Oklahoma's Reading Sufficiency Act to the Strong Readers Act and establishes a new Statewide Literacy Revolving Fund to finance reading-related initiatives. The legislation requires teacher preparation programs and certified teachers to complete specific training in the science of reading, which will be recognized as a micro-credential on their teaching certificates. It also mandates that schools screen students in grades K through 3 for reading difficulties and provides for the development of individualized intervention plans for those who need support. Additionally, the bill updates reporting requirements and removes certain provisions regarding student retention and exemptions from reading assessments.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryThis bill requires Oklahoma public school districts that choose to create digital maps of their campuses to follow specific guidelines designed to help first responders during emergencies. The maps must be compatible with existing public safety software, verified through physical walk-throughs, and include detailed labels for rooms, exits, hazards, and critical equipment like defibrillators. Additionally, the law mandates that any changes to these maps must be simultaneously updated in the software used by local, county, state, and federal emergency services to ensure everyone has the same accurate information.
Maddy summaryThis bill updates the rules for the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office regarding how they create and enforce regulations. It requires the agency to hold public hearings and mail direct notice to current land and mineral lessees at least 30 days before adopting any new rules. Additionally, the bill mandates that any official interpretations of these rules must be published and directly notified to affected lessees to be considered binding. These changes aim to increase transparency and ensure that people leasing state land are informed before rules affecting them are finalized.
Maddy summaryThis Oklahoma bill updates state laws regarding professional development for teachers and school administrators to better support student learning and safety. It requires school districts to create committees that include teachers, parents, and counselors to design training programs focused on improving academic scores, closing achievement gaps, and reducing the need for college remediation. The legislation mandates specific annual training on topics such as recognizing and reporting child abuse, autism awareness, and dyslexia and dysgraphia instruction. Additionally, it establishes consequences for teachers who fail to complete required professional development hours, which could affect their contract renewal or salary increases.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Oklahoma Trust Reform Act of 2024, establishes new rules for "directed trusts" in Oklahoma, allowing a separate individual or entity called a trust director to guide the trustee on investment and distribution decisions. The law defines key roles such as the settlor, trustee, and trust director, and clarifies that a trust director can direct matters like asset management without serving as a fiduciary themselves. It also sets boundaries for when these rules apply, specifying that they cover trusts administered in Oklahoma and do not apply to certain powers like revoking a trust or appointing trustees. Additionally, the act addresses how long trusts can last by removing the rule against perpetual trusts, outlines liability limits for directors, and provides a framework for resolving disputes without court intervention.
Maddy summaryThis bill creates two new income tax credits for Oklahoma employers and childcare workers effective in 2025. Employers can claim a credit equal to 30% of their spending on childcare assistance, operating on-site facilities, or reserving spots for employees, with a maximum claim of $30,000 per year. Additionally, the bill establishes a refundable $1,000 tax credit for qualified childcare workers who are employed for at least eight months and have completed 12 credit hours of professional development. Both credits are available for tax years through 2029, with annual state limits of $5 million for employer credits and $14 million for worker credits.
Maddy summarySB 423 updates Oklahoma adoption laws by increasing the maximum amount adoptive families can pay for a birth mother's living and transportation expenses from $1,000 to $3,500 without needing prior court approval. The bill also clarifies which specific costs, such as attorney fees, medical bills, and counseling, are considered reasonable and allowable during the adoption process. Additionally, it requires stricter financial oversight by mandating that most payments be made directly to service providers and demanding detailed receipts for any living expense reimbursements. Although the bill was signed by the legislature, the Governor vetoed it on May 28, 2024.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Oklahoma school funding rules by removing previous limits on how much money school districts can carry over from one fiscal year to the next. It also repeals penalties that were previously imposed on districts for exceeding these financial limits. The legislation clarifies which types of revenue count toward general fund calculations and allows districts to use these funds for capital projects like rebuilding schools damaged by disasters when other funding sources are insufficient. These changes directly affect school district administrators and finance officers by providing greater flexibility in managing their annual budgets.
Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Oklahoma's state income tax code to clarify who can claim a financial credit for working in the aerospace sector. It updates the definition of a "qualified employee" to include individuals hired on or after January 1, 2009, who have earned an accredited engineering degree or professional engineering license and are employed by companies manufacturing aerospace hardware or providing related services. The legislation allows these eligible workers to claim a tax credit of up to $5,000 per year for a maximum of five years, with the flexibility to claim the credit in nonconsecutive years if they choose. Additionally, the bill clarifies that any unused portion of the credit can be carried over to the five subsequent tax years, and it sets the effective date for these changes to November 1, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 3278 establishes the "Graduation Act of 2024" to modify graduation curriculum requirements in Oklahoma schools starting in the 2024-2025 school year. The bill does not specify the exact curriculum changes or directly affect students beyond setting a new effective date for future requirements. Its primary function is to create a legal framework for updating graduation standards, with the law taking effect on November 1, 2024.