Sen. Adam Pugh

Maddy summaryHB 1727 amends Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program (OK HAP) to add a new eligibility category for children of certified classroom teachers. Specifically, it allows students whose parents are certified teachers to qualify for tuition assistance without needing to meet standard financial need requirements (normally required under Section 2603). The bill does not change other eligibility criteria like residency, academic performance, or admission standards. This change directly affects students pursuing higher education in Oklahoma whose parents work as certified teachers in the state. The policy went into effect June 10, 2025, after Governor approval.

Maddy summaryHB 1727 expands eligibility for Oklahoma's Higher Learning Access Program to include children of certified classroom teachers. The bill amends Section 2603 of the Oklahoma Statutes to add a new category under financial need requirements (paragraph 8(e)), allowing these students to qualify for tuition assistance if they meet the program's existing financial need standards. This change directly affects children of teachers who are certified under Oklahoma's education standards and enroll in eligible Oklahoma institutions. The policy expands access to an existing state program without altering tuition amounts or creating new funding streams. The bill became law on June 10, 2025, with an emergency effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 1087 updates Oklahoma's minimum salary schedule for public school teachers starting with the 2025-2026 school year. It specifies exact minimum salary amounts based on years of experience (0-35 years) and education level (bachelor's, master's, doctorate, or National Board Certification). The bill directly affects certified teachers in Oklahoma public schools by establishing these mandatory pay thresholds, including separate tables for teachers with National Board Certification. The schedule excludes certain retirement contributions from "fringe benefits" and requires school districts to provide written notice if they offer retirement benefits that would reduce a teacher's salary below the minimum.

Maddy summaryHB 1287 authorizes the University of Oklahoma's Board of Regents to create an intensive math tutoring pilot program for ninth-grade students who scored lowest on Oklahoma's required eighth-grade math assessment. The program will target public high schools in districts with 30,000+ enrolled students or eligible charter schools. It will operate through the University of Oklahoma's College of Education starting July 1, 2025, providing structured tutoring to help struggling students improve math skills. This bill directly affects qualifying high school students and school districts meeting the enrollment criteria, with no broader statewide implementation mandated.

Maddy summaryHB 1521 changes Oklahoma high school graduation requirements for math credits. It mandates four math units, including Algebra I and either Algebra II or Geometry, plus a third course at or above Algebra I rigor (such as Finance, Computer Science, or dual-credit math). Schools may also use locally developed, applied math courses that connect to real-world contexts. The bill directly affects Oklahoma public high school students and school districts setting graduation standards. It updates existing requirements but does not alter personal financial literacy or AP course policies.

Maddy summarySB 804 requires Oklahoma assisted living centers to establish an internal quality assurance committee that meets quarterly. The committee must monitor incidents, resident satisfaction, and care quality - especially medication administration - and recommend policies, with membership including a registered nurse, administrator, direct care staff, and pharmacist as needed. The bill also updates existing rules to mandate monthly medication reviews by nurses/pharmacists, standardized resident screening, posting inspection results online, and individualized care plans. These changes directly affect all licensed assisted living centers in Oklahoma, effective November 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2259 removes a requirement that military-dependent students must have Oklahoma as their "home of record" to qualify for continuous school transfers within Oklahoma public schools. The bill directly affects military families with children attending Oklahoma schools, streamlining their ability to transfer between schools without proving Oklahoma is their permanent home state. This change simplifies the process by eliminating the "home of record" language from existing transfer eligibility rules. The law took effect on May 29, 2025, after becoming law without the Governor's signature.

Maddy summarySB 287 extends Oklahoma's aerospace tax credit program, allowing employers in the aerospace sector to claim credits for tuition reimbursement and compensation paid to qualified employees through 2031. The credit for tuition is 50% of the cost (capped at the average public tuition in Oklahoma) for the first four years of employment, while the credit for compensation is 10% for employees with Oklahoma degrees or 5% for out-of-state graduates, applicable for the first five years of employment. This bill affects aerospace businesses and certain educational institutions, specifically targeting employees with ABET-accredited aerospace engineering degrees or licensed engineers.

Maddy summarySB 711 modifies how Oklahoma schools calculate graduation rates and annual performance reports. It changes the definition of students counted in the "four-year adjusted cohort graduation rate" by excluding students who transfer out after October 1, emigrate, or die, and clarifies that students must enroll in a diploma-awarding program to count as graduates. The bill also updates how schools report results for the Oklahoma School Testing Program, ensuring reports align with federal accountability standards under the Every Student Succeeds Act. These changes directly affect all Oklahoma public schools and their annual performance ratings.

Maddy summaryHB 2259 removes a requirement that Oklahoma must be the "home of record" for military dependents to qualify for school transfers. The bill directly affects military-connected students in Oklahoma public schools, making it easier for them to transfer between schools without proving Oklahoma is their permanent home base. Key provisions amend existing law by deleting specific references to "home of record" in transfer eligibility rules. This change simplifies the process for military families moving due to deployments or assignments. The bill became law on May 29, 2025, without the Governor's signature.